Legion Gold avenges loss to Sleepy Eye

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Legion Gold was looking for revenge going into the game against Sleepy Eye in the Upper Midwest Classic Thursday.

After a little uncertainty mid-game, Gold got their revenge, beating Sleepy Eye 8-5.

"I was just playing with a lot of fun," Gold second baseman Levi Stugelmeyer said. He went 2-for-3 in the game with three RBIs. "It was kind of nice to get revenge against Sleepy Eye. It was nice to come back and beat them at home."

Sleepy Eye grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Jason Schueler scored on a passed ball.

In the bottom of the fourth, Gold built some momentum.

Starter Joey Wahl walked the first two batters, then Brad Kraus hit an RBI single and Stugelmeyer sent a two-RBI single to left field to take a 3-1 lead.

"I just went up there not hitting a home run, just to get a base hit and drive in some runs," Stugelmeyer said. "I think we were just hitting good. We've been working on going with the pitch -- hitting where the pitch is."

But in the top of the fifth, Sleepy Eye took back the momentum. Brad Hillesheim walked, then Chris Reinarts reached on a fielder's choice. But the damage was done when Gold pitcher Josh Sabatino threw in the dirt to first base for an error that cost two runs as Hillesheim and Reinarts scored.

Then Matt Mathiowetz stepped to the plate and smashed a two-run home run over the left field fence. The surge tied the game 5-5 and it seemed to lift Sleepy Eye up.

"You think that once in a while, but we knew we had to come out and finish the game well and play defense," Mathiowetz said. "But they did a nice job of hitting the ball."

The next two New Ulm at-bats hurt Sleepy Eye.

Tyler Morgan drilled a two-RBI double to right center, and Scott Knisley hit a two-RBI single to the fence in right field. Hillesheim relieved Krzmarzick with one out and five runs scored, and on the first pitch, Stugelmeyer hit an RBI single to bring Gold to their 8-5 final lead.

Adam Neubauer, Josh Thorson and Kraus were all walked by Krzmarzick.

"A few of our pitchers had a hard time throwing strikes," Mathiowetz said. "That always comes back and hurts ya."

Together, Wahl, Krzmarzick and Hillesheim walked six and hit two batters.

Krzmarzick took the loss for Sleepy Eye, going 1/3 inning, giving up three walks, three hits and four runs. Wahl struck out three, walked three, hit two, gave up three hits and three runs. Hillesheim struck out one and gave up two hits and one run in 1 2/3 inning.

For New Ulm, Josh Sabatino got the win, striking out three, walking two and giving up six hits and five runs.

Sleepy Eye hosts Rochester at 7:30 p.m. today. New Ulm Gold plays Sioux Falls West at 7:30 p.m. today at Johnson Park.