Essig defeats Leavenworth and Hanska

BY JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

ESSIG -- Right-hander Brad Hillesheim pitched seven innings of three-hit ball as Essig scored three first inning runs enroute to a 7-1 win over Leavenworth Sunday afternoon in Tomahawk East League play.

Hillesheim struck out six, allowing just one run -that coming on a one out home run by the Orioles' designated hitter Brian Schwartz in the third inning.

Hillesheim allowed hits in the first and third innings and did not allow a hit in his final four innings of work. Terry Helget pitched the final two innings permitting one hit while striking out three.

Gabe Hirsch took the loss for Leavenworth (1-5) in going the distance. He allowed 11 hits while striking out 11.

Travis Walden, Doug Radloff, Terry Helget and Jeff Juni each had two hits for the Bluejays (6-1). Lee Haala added a double.

Essig scored all the runs needed in the game in the bottom of the first inning when Travis Walden struck out but reached first on a passed ball. He stole second before Dusty Fleck received a free pass. Doug Radloff's base hit to center scored Walden before Terry Helget lined a single to left to bring in Fleck. Radloff galloped home on a fielder's choice.

Schwartz' home run -- a deep drive down the right field line -- cut the lead to 3-1 in the third.

But the Jays countered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Fleck legged out an infield single and went to second on a Radloff sacrifice bunt.

Lee Haala's two-out double plated Fleck for a 4-1 lead.

Kyle Helget' lead-off walk in the bottom of the seventh would result in another Essig run.

Fleck's sacrifice bunt pushed Helget to second before a wild pitch by Hirsch moved him to third.

Terry Helget's sacrifice fly brought in Kyle Helget.

Essig added two more runs in the home half of the eighth. Jeff Juni singled to start the inning. Larry Haala aced a one-out single. Travis Walden's base hit to right scored Juni. Walks to Kyle Helget and Mike Grossmann tallied the final run.

LEAVENWORTH 001-000-000=1-3-1

ESSIG 301-000-12X=7-11-1

Essig 5, Hanska 4

Essig defeated Hanska 5-4 in additional Tomahawk East action Sunday at Essig.

Terry Helget was winning pitcher in relief.

Losing pitcher was Robyn Young.

For Essig, Mitch Stueber 2-for-2, with one double and two RBI. Helget had an RBI single.

For Hanska, Nick Gusso was 2-for-3, with one RBI. Micade Thordson had two-run single.

Essig's record is now 8-1. Hanska's is 2-5.

Sleepy Eye 6, Stark 3

Dean Brinkman was winning pitcher. Brian Hertling and Brooks Deibele each had three hits for Sleepy EYe.

Darren Haala and Tim braulick each had two hits for Stark.