August 25, 2021 at 11:57 a.m.
Snowhawks crush Pukall Lumber Studs, win seventh straight
Snowhawks crush Pukall Lumber Studs, win seventh straight
By by Brett LaBore-
The Snowhawks defeated Pukall Lumber Studs 26-12 Monday night in Lake Tomahawk.
"Outside of the Chicago game where we didn't hit very well, I think we had a pretty solid year," player-coach Jeff Smith said.
"It was a different kind of a ball game cause of the new team. They had some new players and I guess a few guys couldn't make it. They decided to show up and have some fun and get everybody involved with snowshoes. So we decided to go with it and have fun with it and make it a fun night for the fans."
A five-run first set the tone for the rest of the game for the Snowhawks. They hit two triples in the inning which included a two-run triple from Jesse Robinson that took a big bounce in left center.
Jacob Hodgden and Gunner Dunbar finished the inning off with RBI singles to score the maximum of five runs.
The Lumber Studs had trouble scoring. After three times up to bat, they didn't score any runs and had just two baserunners.
Meanwhile, the Snowhawks loaded the bases in the bottom of the third. Dustin Schowalter hit an RBI single to left to make it 8-0 Snowhawks. Nick Merckz did the same with an infield RBI single to the pitcher.
Dave Nance singled down the left field line to score the fifth run of the inning. After three, the Snowhawks led 11-0. It was one of their best starts of the summer.
"It kind of makes it easier on us as a whole but that doesn't always happen," Smith said regarding the early lead. "But we don't want to put too many runs on the board."
The defense of the Snowhawks got into the game as well. Derek Young made a diving play at shortstop, redeeming himself from the week prior.
"I heard he had a tough time (last week)," Smith said." (He was) eager to come back and redeem himself."
Pukall finally got on the board in the fourth. Matt Balson hit a liner that ended up being an RBI double. James Hubbard followed that up with a hit of his own. It was 11-2 now.
The Snowhawks showed no signs of slowing down in the fourth. They scored five runs once again, which included an RBI single from Young. Everyone was getting into it for the team from Lake Tomahawk.
Pukall put together one of its best innings in the fifth when they scored three runs. Eileen Walgren drove in an RBI as did Spencer Shaker. With the bases loaded, Dale Harris Jr. contributed to the run total. The Snowhawks still had a commanding 16-5 lead.
The Lumber Studs contributed three more runs in the sixth. The big hit came off the bat of Mike Benzing. He hit a two-run triple that rolled all the way to the garage doors in left center. Benzing then scored off the bat of Holly Hanson.
The Snowhawks led 21-9 after six innings of play.
"Nice to get a little bit of a lead, guys play looser," Smith said. "Guys got the bats going again."
A fun moment happened in the seventh inning when the Snowhawks' own Merckz started pitching for Pukall Lumber Studs. The Snowhawks didn't show any mercy to their teammate.
"All of a sudden we turn around and (Nick) was on the mound," Smith said. "I (also) liked the part where the girl was running to second base and one of the guys.... takes the base and throws it at her. Some of that stuff is off the cuff."
Robinson and Young hit RBI singles to help add to the Snowhawks highest run total of the summer thus far. They had 26 runs now.
"Everybody was kind of knocking the ball around pretty good," Smith said. "I have to keep that feeling going on for next year. That was a lot of fun."
Coming to the ninth, the Lumber Studs had one last chance to put up a big number. But with the bases loaded, Jeremy Pelto hit into a double play to end the game.
Up next, the Snowhawks wrap up their 60th season with a game against Newswatch 12 on Monday, Aug. 30. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 at Snowshoe Park in Lake Tomahawk.
"We'll split our team up with theirs and we'll bring some of their players on ours and that's how we do it. A little bit more competitive," Smith said. "It'll be a fun night."
Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.