August 25, 2022 at 6:58 a.m.
Snowhawks route Pukall Lumber Studs
Snowhawks route Pukall Lumber Studs
By Brett LaBore-
The Snowhawks beat Pukall 24-4 Monday night at Snowshoe Park in Lake Tomahawk. It was a make-up game from a July 18 rainout.
"Not what we really expected. They had talked about practicing a lot, not sure what happened there," coach Jeff Smith said. "We had nine guys and the bats were going. Everything was falling into place."
Dave Nance got the Snowhawks on the board in inning number two with a two-run single to shallow center. Todd Niemuth singled to right center to bring home a run. Niemuth ended up reaching base six times.
Ryan Schowalter scored the maximum five runs with an RBI single to left, with another run scoring on an error.
In the bottom of the third, it was more of the same. A line drive off the bat of Brent Cella went through the hands of a Pukall outfielder. A few batters later, Nick Mercks expanded the Snowhawk lead with a double.
"I think some plays could've been stopped. They had some errors on their part that kept the inning going and some of those shots when through and some went right at them," Smith said. "I don't think they practiced for hard shots like that. If you don't stop the ball, it keeps the inning going and that can be the worse thing."
After three innings, the Snowhawks led 8-0.
Pukall had a number of baserunners on base throughout the first four innings, but could not catch the break they needed.
In the first inning, a diving catch by Dustin Schowalter ended the inning with two runners on base. Then in the third, Bo Sanders grounded into a double play with the bases loaded.
"We got guys playing different places, but we practiced that in the beginning. We had different guys in different spots," Smith said. "Guys in their spots knew what they had to do and they were making plays. It's nice when something like that all comes together."
Moving to the fourth, Jared Bence lined into a double play, stranding two more runners.
The Snowhawks were shutting out Pukall. Meanwhile, Cole Punches hit an RBI sacrifice fly to center to keep the Snowhawk lead going in the fourth. Dustin Schowalter also had an RBI in the inning.
The lead grew and grew and grew. Punches hit a triple to deep left that brought in a run. The Snowhawks had a commanding 15-0 lead after six innings.
"They could not get a guy across the plate. They got guys on base every inning, but couldn't get the hit that got them through," Smith said. "When the other team is just struggling to get a guy across the plate, not much you can do about it."
Pukall finally broke through in the seventh. Eileen Wahlgreen singled to left, followed by Andrew Walter reaching on a fielder's choice to load the bases with one out.
Gary Leinon hit a sacrifice fly to give Pukall their first run of the game.
"I was pulling for them that they would score. We don't like to see a shutout, I don't think it's ever happened," Smith said. "Glad they got a couple runs across the board, that made them happy."
Dustin Schowalter wanted to show off his speed in the seventh inning. On a single to left center, he kept running the bases until he made it all the way home with an inside-the-park homer. There were some errors on the play, but it was Dustin Schowalter's speed that made the difference.
"In all honesty, we didn't know what was going on either. Everybody likes to get an in-the-park home run every once in awhile. They were kind of throwing the ball around a bit," Smith said. "I think we had a big enough lead that if he was thrown out, (it wouldn't have mattered). Sometimes those are your best moments where you're loose like that. The crowd kind of got into it, they liked that."
Ryan Schowalter drove in two more runs on a single, deflected by the second baseman. It was a good inning for the Schowalters. They were up 19-1.
Pukall scored two more times in the eighth. One run came off the bat of Dale Harris Jr., a run scoring on an error in the outfield.
The Snowhawks put their stamp on the game with the maximum five runs in the bottom of the eight inning. They were playing some of their best ball late in the summer.
"It was a fun game last night. It was a good crowd for the end of the year," Smith said. "Pukall is a fun team to play... bunch of workers playing as a team. I think it's good for their spirits, too."
Up next, the Snowhawks (7-2) play their summer finale against Newswatch 12 Monday, Aug. 29 at Snowshoe Park in Lake Tomahawk. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
"That's going to be a team where we'll split up our team with theirs," Smith said. "Normally, it's a pretty good game. We got five or six players from our team on each team. It's somewhat competitive still, but not one of those games where you're grinding it our for nine innings. A good couple games to end the season with and have some fun with the other team also."
Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].
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