New Ulm Junior Legion sweeps VFW Gold

By HANS BEIBL

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Junior Legion's ceaseless offense outscored New Ulm VFW Gold by a combined count of 30-6 in a doubleheader Tuesday night at Mueller Park. Junior Legion 10-runned Gold twice,14-4 in the first game and 16-2 in the nightcap.

The early game was similar to the late game; each was a showcase for Junior Legion's offensive prowess and superior pitching.

But under the lights in the second game, Junior Legion's Adam Neubauer and Zach Barrett went nuts. Neubauer was 4-for-5 with seven RBI, and Barrett, in pitching the win, allowed only three hits and struck out seven.

Junior Legion, which had nine multiple-run innings, knocked 28 hits Tuesday night. Gold, on the other hand, struggled at the hands of Junior Legion's pitching, which allowed only eight hits in two games.

The first game, though, began well for Gold as they jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning off winning pitcher and Junior Legion starter Adam Macho.

Gold's Brett Burgau began the game with a double to left field. After two consecutive VFW outs, Joe Kuehl reached base on a Junior Legion error that allowed Burgau to score. J.J. Germscheid walked before Jon Koeckeritz hit a RBI-double that scored both Kuehl and Germscheid.

Junior Legion countered with two runs in the first inning, but Gold scored another in the third.

Trailing 4-2 entering the home half of the third inning, Junior Legion scored four runs in the third to make the score 6-4 and never looked back.

To start the inning, Josh Thorson walked, stole second and both moved to third and scored on wild pitches.

After Zach Barrett walked and stole second, Josh Sabatino did the same. Barrett moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Macho's RBI single.

Sabatino scored on a VFW error, and Macho scored on Levi Stugelmeyer's sacrifice bunt.

Leading 6-4, Junior Legion scored two more runs in the fourth. An additional six runs in the fifth inning ended the game as the lead moved to 10 runs.

In the win, Macho pitched three innings and gave up four runs -- only one of which was earned. He struck out four and walked two.

Nick Olson took the loss for Gold. He allowed eight runs -- seven earned -- on six hits. He struck out two and walked five.

The offense was again steady and commanding for Junior Legion in the second game; they scored three runs in the top of the first inning and led by six runs after the fourth inning. A six-run sixth inning topped the night for Junior Legion and gave them the 16-2 lead.

Barrett retired in order the first nine Gold batters before the fourth inning. VFW Gold scored two runs on three hits.

"Barrett has pitched very well almost every game," said Junior Legion coach LeRoy Flor. "He was quite focused. Our whole team was quite focused."

Sabatino, Thorson, Macho and Bryan Kamm each had an RBI for Junior Legion in the late game.

For Gold, Scott Knisley pitched four innings, picked up the loss and allowed eight earned runs.

Junior Legion, which shall play Wednesday night in Sigel against Mapleton, improved to17-4 on the summer.

After the losses, Gold assistant coach Sam Clyne said, "We have tired arms, and we gave up a lot of hits."

Clyne said that Gold, which drops to 5-6 on the year and will play at Blue Earth on Friday night, needs "to heal a little bit this week and come back strong on Friday."

Game 1

VFW Gold -- 301 00 -- 4 5 3

Junior Legion -- 204 26 -- 14 11 1

WP -- Macho LP -- Olson

Game 2

Junior Legion -- 320 326 -- 16 17 0

VFW Gold -- 000 20x -- 2 3 3

WP -- Barret LP -- Knisley