This story is sponsored by: Sternweis & Sons
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
WESTON – After surrendering a four-run lead, the Marshfield Legion baseball team was in need of a break – just something to go its way – late in its matchup with Wausau.
The Blue Devils got that break through aggressive base running and pulled out a big victory.
Bryce Erickson reached on a two-out infield single in the bottom of the seventh inning for his third hit of the game. He promptly stole second and when he attempted to steal third, the throw from Wausau catcher Ryan Rodemeier bounded away allowing Erickson to score the winning run as Marshfield defeated Wausau 5-4 in a winners’ bracket game at the Class AAA American Legion Baseball Regional on Thursday night at Simon Field.
Marshfield (19-19) remains the only undefeated team in the double-elimination tournament and will play Wisconsin Rapids at 7 p.m. Friday. Wisconsin Rapids defeated Stevens Point 9-2 in an elimination game Friday afternoon. Wausau will take on Plover in another win-or-go-home contest at 4 p.m. A berth in next week’s Class AAA State Tournament in Wisconsin Rapids will be decided Saturday.
The Blue Devils pulled out to a 4-0 lead, scoring in three-straight innings against Wausau starter Jack Barthels.
Jakob Sadowska and Chase Robinson had RBI singles in a four-hit second inning, Sadowska walked with the bases loaded in the third to force in Adam Gilbertson, and Owen Griesbach knocked in Robinson, who had doubled, with a sacrifice fly in the fourth to put Marshfield on top 4-0.
Marshfield pitcher Aden Cherney was cruising along. After getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, Wausau finally touched him up in the fifth.
An error, followed by an RBI triple to Tony Iaffaldano put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Luke Smogoleski knocked in Iaffaldano with a ground out. Two walks in a row, followed by a single by Jesse Osness, and a throwing error on the play, allowed two more to score, knotting the game at 4-4.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh when Erickson’s aggressiveness on the bases led to the winning run.
Nathan Richardson picked up the pitching win for Marshfield, throwing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball while striking out three.
Blue Devils 5, Bulldogs 4
Wausau 000 040 0 – 4 7 2
Marshfield 021 100 1 – 5 11 4
WP: Nathan Richardson. LP: Brennan Fictum.
SO: Jack Barthels (5 inn.) 3, Fictum (1 2/3 inn.) 1; Aden Cherney (4 1/3 inn.) 3, Richardson (2 2/3 inn.) 3. BB: Barthels 2, Fictum 0; Cherney 5, Richardson 2.
Top hitters: W, Tony Iaffaldano 3B, RBI; Dylan Dobratz 3B. M, Chase Robinson 2×4, 2B, RBI; Adam Gilbertson 2 runs; Bryce Erickson 3×3; Jakob Sadowska 2 RBI.
Records: Wausau 15-22; Marshfield 19-19.
Class AAA American Legion Baseball Regional
July 24-27, at Simon Field, D.C. Everest High School
Double elimination tournament, winner qualifies for Class AAA State Tournament at Wisconsin Rapids, July 30-Aug. 3
Wednesday, July 24
Game 3: Marshfield 9, Wisconsin Rapids 1
Game 2: Wausau 6, Stevens Point 3
Game 1: Plover 3, D.C. Everest 1
Thursday, July 25
Game 4: Stevens Point 6, D.C. Everest 0
Game 5: Wisconsin Rapids 5, Plover 1
Game 6: Marshfield 5, Wausau 4
Friday, July 26
Game 7: Stevens Point vs. Wisconsin Rapids, 1 p.m.
Game 8: Plover vs. Wausau, 4 p.m.
Game 9: Marshfield vs. Winner Game 7, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 27
If Winner of Game 6 wins Game 9
Game 10: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 8, 4 p.m.
Game 11: Repeat if Game 8 winner wins Game 10, 7 p.m.
If Winner of Game 6 loses Game 9
Game 10: Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 9, 4 p.m.
Game 11: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, 7 p.m.