Reschke sparks Riverdogs to division win

Nick Reschke pitched and batted the Howards Grove Riverdogs past Grafton, 8-6, in Land O’ Lakes Baseball League action Wednesday night at Memorial Park in Howards.

Reschke was 3-for-4 with two doubles. He struck out nine in 6- 2/3 innings en route to the Northern Division victory.

Howards lost to defending division champion Cedarburg Saturday afternoon, 9-0, at Cedarburg. The Riverdogs fell to 6-5 in the league (9-9 overall). The Mercs lead the division with a 9-3 mark.

The Riverdogs busted the game open against the Express with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to mount an 8-1 lead.

“We had five straight hits in the fifth. It was good to see the bats get going,” said Riverdog player-manager P.J. Weber.

Howards banged out 10 hits, including two by Jake Schoemann. Peter Reschke (Nick’s brother) had a team-high two RBIs.

Nick Reschke walked seven and surrendered six runs (three earned) on six hits. Matt Schroeder earned a save with 2-1/3 scoreless frames – striking out two and walking a pair.

CEDARBURG GAME

The Mercs’ Steve Hopfensperger twirled a four-hitter in blanking the Riverdogs. He walked none and struck out eight.

Cedarburg piled up 13 hits, led by Nolan Gilbertson, Brian Bert, Joe Reichhart, Joe Daniels and Justin Mielke with two each. Gilbertson ripped a two-run triple in the first.

Howards had no batters with multiple hits. The losing hurler was starter Ben Stanczyk who was raked for nine runs (six earned) on 13 hits with one walk and seven whiffs in 6-2/3 innings.