Springfield pitching give Cathedral fits

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Cathedral found out that a good pitching performance can go a long way in the Tomahawk Conference Thursday.

Springfield pitcher Brandon Wilhelmi silenced the Cathedral bats, limiting the Greyhounds to just four hits in the first game of a doubleheader. Wilhelmi struck out five in the complete game effort in Game 1 as the Tigers won 4-1. The Tigers also won the second game 7-3.

"I think he did a nice job of changing speeds on us and throwing his breaking pitches," Cathedral coach Bob Weier said. "We did hit the ball hard in situations, it was just right at them. They got some runs early off our sloppy fielding, and that was the difference in the ball game."

"We went with Brandon, and he's kind of our team leader and a warrior," Springfield coach Brady Schwab said. "We said 'Brandon, if you can get ahead, and force these guys to put the ball in play, we'll take our chances.'"

The Greyhounds took their only lead of the game in the bottom of the first after Jeff Schnobrich scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Scott Knisely. The Greyhounds were able to get runners on base, but they stranded eight.

"He got them to hit the ground ball, and the defense came up with the play, but we did hit the ball hard," Weier said.

Gary Wilfahrt took the loss for the Greyhounds. Wilfahrt pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out five. He walked four and hit another batter.

"When you walk batters and hit batters, you're going to get in trouble," Weier said. "They battle at the plate as hitters. They don't give in, and Junior has to learn how to battle a bit better, and a few more strikes would've helped."

The Tigers got to Wilfahrt in the second inning. Matt Baier scored the first run for the Tigers and Zach Sturm scored on a wild pitch to put the Tigers up 2-1.

Sturm scored his second run of the game in the fourth inning after Andy Moritz singled him home. Wilhelmi followed Moritz with an RBI single up the middle, putting Springfield up 4-1.

The Springfield defense also played well, committing only one error behind Wilhelmi.

"Early on, we were playing really good defense, but lately, we've been getting into a little rut," Schwab said. "The past few practices, we just went back to fundamentals."

Weier said the Greyhounds didn't come ready to play for the first game.

"It's a very well-balanced conference, and if you don't come ready to play, you just saw what happens -- you get beat," Weier said.

In the second game, the Tiger bats continued to hit the ball well. Matt Bicler scored two runs and Matt Tews had a triple and a single. Andy Moritz had a double and a single and two RBIs for the Tigers. Josh Sabatino had a three-run triple for the Greyhounds, who dropped to 13-2 overall and 10-2 in the conference.

Springfield (9-5, 7-5) is at McLeod West Monday and Cathedral battles Wabasso Tuesday in Milroy.

Nicollet 8, Maple River 3

NICOLLET -- Andy Renner had a two-run single in the fifth inning to break open the game as the Raiders defeated Maple river in a Valley conference game.

Winning pitcher Jeff Allerson had seven strikeouts, and gave up two walks, and three runs off seven hits, two of which were earned. Mike Rosin went 2-for-4, scoring two runs, while Jeff Zimmerman had a double and two runs scored.

Nicollet (3-11, 2-6) will travel to Northrup on Tuesday to play Granada-Hunley-East Chain/Martin Luther.

MVL 5, GFW 4

WINTHROP -- Winning pitcher Ryan Saunder gave up five hits and had 11 strikeouts in the first game as Minnesota Valley Lutheran defeated Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 5-4 and 5-4 in a Tomahawk doubleheader Thursday.

MVL's Tyler Morgan went 2-for-2 with two home runs and four RBIs and Dusty Lendt had a double. Losing pitcher Cody Loverude had five strikeouts and gave up five hits and three walks. James Panning went 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun for GFW and Joe Mages went 3-for-3 and had three singles.

In the second game, winning pitcher Sam Meilke had eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings and gave up two hits and two walks. Morgan went 2-for-4 with a single while Andy Beilke and Jason Costello each had two singles. Greg Holzhueter went 2-for-4 with two singles and the game-winning RBI. GFW's Kevin Erdal had four strikeouts and gave up four runs and a walk. Panning went 2-for-3 with two singles.

MVL (8-6, 6-6) will host Sleepy Eye on Tuesday in a doubleheader. GFW will host St. Mary's on Monday.

Wabasso 16, McLeod West 1

Wabasso 3, McLeod West 2

BROWNTON -- Wabasso swept McLeod West Thursday in Tomahawk Conference baseball action. In the first game, Paul Schwartz got the win. Matt Samyn went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a home run. Dan Mathiowetz went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs. Schwartz also went 2-for-5 with a double and four RBIs. Anthony Rohlik went 3-for-5. McLeod West's Reggie Vacek homered.

In the second game, Rohlik got the win and Jeremy Wendorff took the loss. Brian Frank had an RBI double and Dan Mathiowetz had two RBIs.

McLeod West's Jake Maurer went 2-for-3 and Darrin Rosenau went 1-for-3 with an RBI. McLeod West (3-12, 2-10) hosts Springfield Monday.

Wabasso is at Buffalo Lake-Hector Monday.