Greyhounds take advantage of errors, top Nicollet

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- In the first two innings, John Knisley struggled, but somehow managed to avoid disaster. In the next two innings, the New Ulm Cathedral right-hander was dominant.

But in the top of the fifth inning, Knisley, who had struck out eight in the previous four innings, ran into more trouble. That ended his first start of the season.

But Knisley got the run support he needed. The Greyhounds took advantage of five errors by the young Nicollet Raiders and posted an 11-6 win Tuesday afternoon at Johnson Park in nonconference baseball.

"I thought it was alright," Knisley said. "I just threw too many balls. I couldn't get ahead of the hitters right away."

Knisley allowed the Raiders (0-2) to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. He got in trouble again in the second.

But Nicollet left the bases loaded without scoring a run. In the third and fourth innings, Knisley retired the side in order, recording two strike outs in each inning.

Knisley took a no-hitter into the top of the fifth inning, but gave up a single on the first pitch to Cody Wilking. Knisley then hit Raiders' No. 9 hitter Jamie Wagner and Tony Hulke followed by beating out a slow-rolling bunt for an infield single to load the bases.

When Knisley walked Nick Stevenson on four pitches forcing in a run, his day was over despite a 10-2 lead.

"John was not really in control the first couple of innings," Cathedral coach Bob Weier said. "He seemed to gain his control after he got his repetitions in and had some pretty nice middle innings, and then I think he just got tired."

Knisley (1-0), who despite the eight strike outs also walked four batters, including a pair in the second, said he was just having trouble finding the strike zone.

"I just couldn't get it across the plate," Knisley said. "I don't know. I felt fine, I just couldn't get it across the plate anymore. I lost it."

Knisley's first walk turned into the Raiders' first run. Hulke's free pass to start the game turned into a run when he scored from third on Marc Bode's grounder.

In the second, Jake Anderson reached when he was hit by a pitch. Mike Rosin followed with a walk on five pitches.

Knisley then fanned Josh Allerson and Wilking before he walked Wagner on four pitches. But Knisley got out of the second without yielding a run on Hulke's come-backer.

Knisley cruised through the third and fourth innings, never letting the ball out of the infield.

"I was a little bit more relaxed," Knisley said. "We had a couple of runs and I knew I had a little cushion."

Three of the four runs charged to Knisley were earned. He allowed two hits.

Cathedral (4-0) answered the Raiders' 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom half of the first inning to tie the game. The Greyhounds then added two more in the second inning.

Adam Prochniak scored on one of five Nicollet errors after doubling to the gap in right to lead off the second. Scott Knisley, who reached on the error, scored two batters later when Corey Schnobrich collected his second single.

Cathedral added five runs in the third on four hits. Jacob Mertz drove in two runs with a double down the line in left field.

Prochniak, who went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and scored three times, reached on another Raider error and John Knisley followed with a single to left that scored Mertz. That ended the day for Jake Anderson (0-1), who allowed eight runs -- five earned -- on six hits.

"We're young," Nicollet coach T.D. Hostikka said. "That was an eighth-grader pitching for us."

Mike Rosin, who inherited two baserunners from Anderson, was greeted with a single to right by Scott Knisley, scoring Prochniak. Brandon Goblirsch flew out to left to score John Knisley and up Cathedral's margin to 8-1.

The Greyhounds added a pair of runs in the fourth inning and a solo run in the sixth.

After Nicollet scored three runs in the fifth -- all charged to John Knisley -- to cut the Cathedral lead to 10-4, the Raiders added their final two runs off Prochniak, who worked the final three innings. Bode singled with one out and Truebenbach scored him with a triple to deep right-center; Truebenbach scored two batters later on the Greyhounds' second error.

"Offensively, I was very pleased with the hitting," Weier said. "With 11 runs, you should win ballgames."

Hostikka also found positives.

"Really, we had our errors in the infield, so our outfield played solid," Hostikka said. "Minus those mistakes -- not playing aggressively in the infield -- I think we would've had a tighter game against a very, very good team.

"I'm pleased. They're tough. We're young."

In junior varsity action, Cathedral blanked Nicollet 26-0. Adam Koch went three innings for the Greyhounds (3-0); he allowed one hit and struck out seven.

Cathedral's Adam Boyle was 3-for-5 with five RBI. Jeff Schnobrich and John Wurtzberger were each 2-for-2 .

Cathedral will host Springfield Thursday.

NICOLLET 100 030 2-- 6 9 5

CATHEDRAL 125 201 x--11 9 2

Anderson, Rosin (2) and Wagner. J.Knisley, Prochniak (5) and Prochniak, Helget (5). W--J.Knisley, 1-0. L--Anderson, 0-1. 2B--Nicollet, Jo.Allerson; Cathedral, Mertz, Prochniak 2. 3B--Nicollet, Truebenbach. HR--None. T--1:58.

Anderson pitched to five batters in the third.

J.Knisley pitches to four batters in the fifth..