Rockets’ Ruppel one-hits Elkhart

CEDAR GROVE – Josh Ruppel’s one-hit shutout highlighted the Cedar Grove-Belgium Rockets’ doubleheader sweep over Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah here Wednesday.

Cedar Grove, behind Ruppel, cruised to a 10-0 win in the opener and took the nightcap, 5-2. The Resorters fell to 0-11 in Central Lakeshore Conference baseball play (0-15 overall).

Ruppel struck out eight and walked only one over six innings (game called after six due to 10- run rule). Elkhart’s only hit was Chris Bullock’s triple in the top of the second.

“Ruppel was really tough,” said Elkhart head coach Davin Hill. “He had nice control and kept the ball down. We had 10 ground balls.”

Kyle Kirst led the Rockets in hits with two. Tim Baumann had a team-high two RBIs.

Kyle Rentmeester was the losing pitcher – allowing eight runs (four earned) and four walks while striking out six in four innings.

Elkhart was plagued by five errors.

GAME TWO

In the second game, Elkhart outhit Cedar Grove 6-3 but gave up six walks and drew only two.

“Travis Kosnicki pitched well but gave them too many walks,” said Hill.

Kosnicki took the loss and surrendered five earned runs on three hits with five walks and three whiffs in four frames. Resorter reliever Dane Blake threw two scoreless innings.

Rentmeester paced Elkhart in hits with two. The Resorters’ runs came on Zach Schoenborn’s sacrifice fly and a balk.

“I was pleased with Blake [and his pitching]. This game is good for his confidence,” Hill said.