July 5, 2017 at 3:04 p.m.
Bats come alive late in RHS alumni game
Bats come alive late in RHS alumni game
Ken Pazdernik, the oldest player in the field, hit a two-out single to break a scoreless deadlock in the fifth inning and the Fairly Evens defeated the Mostly Odds 5-2 in the annual outing of former Rhinelander High School baseball players.
Pazdernik, a class of 1972 grad, smacked a single into right that scored Joe Zuiker, a player 40 years his junior. The Evens tacked on four more runs in the sixth and held off a late rally by the Odds keyed by back-to-back home runs from brothers Jordan and Nate Schmidt.
Teams were divided based loosely on graduating year. The majority of those who graduated in even years played for the Fairly Evens. Those who graduated in odd years played for the Mostly Odds.
The first four innings were about as even as they could get, with both teams stranding eight runners on base. After Pazdernick dented the scoreboard, the young bucks on the Fairly Even squad went to work in the sixth. Lucas Michlig, a class of 2012 grad, singled home Tim Thorsen and Zuiker followed with a two-run base hit. Cole Oettinger also scored in the inning on a wild pitch.
Down to its last wraps, the Mostly Odds didn't go quietly. Jordan Schmidt ('09) launched a towering shot over the fence in right field. His younger brother Nate ('11) matched the feat with a high fly ball that carried over virtually the same portion of the outfield fence.
The odds eventually got the tying run to the plate, but Eric Toms lined out to second with runners at second and third to close out the contest.
Jeremy Huhnstock ('04) pitched four effective innings in the loss for the Odds, allowing a run on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts. The Evens scored four runs off Shane White ('13) in the sixth. Jordan Schmidt worked around a couple of walks in a scoreless first inning.
Jamie Robinson ('08), for all intents and purposes, saved his own win. He was the pitcher of record, pitching a perfect fifth inning. He returned to the mound in the seventh after Lucas Michlig surrendered the back-to-back home runs. Bryan Kronberger ('12) started, scattered three hits and struck out five in three innings of scoreless baseball.
Lucas Michlig and Robinson each had two hits for the Evens. Nate Schmidt and Ben Ives ('00) had two hits for the Odds.
The game was relatively clean, defensively, considering the varying amounts of hardball the participants have played since their graduation from RHS. Both teams committed two errors and none of the miscues translated into a run for the opposition.
More than the final score, however, the game brought together players young - and not so young - during a game that's become a staple of the Fourth of July weekend at Hodag Park.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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