Forstner blast

lifts Searles by Brew Crew, 3-2

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Kevin Forstner's three-run homer with one out in the top of the ninth inning lifted Searles to a 3-2 win over the New Ulm Brewers Tuesday night at Johnson Park. The game was the regular-season finale for both teams in the Tomahawk East League.

Casey Lux, the fifth pitcher used by the Grizzlies (9-12,) was credited with the win.

The loss went to Jeremy Wieland (7-1), who struck out 11 and gave up seven hits while walking only one.

Jason Rewitzer and Forstner each had two hits for Searles. The Brewers were held to just two hits by Searles pitchers. Both New Ulm runs were unearned.

The Brewers (17-3) are trying to scheudle an exhibition game against Lake Crystal at a time and site to be dtermined.

The teams were scoreless through six innings. Wieland held Searles' bats in check, allowing only three hits and fanning six. Only one runner reached third.

Meanwhile, the foursome of Jason Rewitzer, Aaron Breu, Brandon Zenk and Joe Tietel allowed just one hit, that coming off Zenk on a fifth inning two-out single by Corey Schaefer.

Searles saw a threat go by the wayside in the top of the seventh when Forstner singled with one out. After Wieland recorded his eighth whiff of the game, Lux drove a single to right field. Brewer right fielder Dan O'Brien fielded the ball and his strong throw to third nailed Forstner for the third out.

The Brewers would muster a run in the bottom of the seventh inning when O'Brien led off with a walk courtesy of Tietel. Lux coaxed Chris Peters to slap a potential double-play ball to Grizzlies shortstop Jeremy Drexler, but the ball rolled between his legs into left field to put Brewer runners on first and second with no outs.

Scott Schaefer's sacrifice bunt moved the runners up a base and a Corey Schaefer sacrifice fly to center scored O'Brien, but New Ulm could not produce any more offense.

New Ulm added what seemed like a big run in the eighth thanks to two Grizzlies errors. Ryan Walters' fly to right to start the inning was dropped by Forstner and Al Wurtzberger drew a two-out walk off Lux.

DO'Brien's grounder to short scooted into left and permitted Walters to score New Ulm's second unearned run of the game.

Mike Portner began the Grizzlies ninth with a lead-off walk and Rewitzer singled. Mike Portner was forced at third on a Pat Portner bunt before Forstner belted a 1-1 hanging curve ball from Wieland over the fence in left for a 3-2 lead.

SEARLES 000 000 003--3 7 3

NU BREWERS 000 000 110--2 2 0

W--Lux. L--Wieland. HR--Searles, Forstner .