Falcons upset Indians, finish third in EWC
by Steve Ottman Falls News Correspondent
Sheboygan Falls pitcher Devin Christenson allowed just two hits over six innings, and Russell Preder struck out the final batter in relief to vault the Falcons to a 3-2 upset victory over the previously unbeaten Kewaskum Indians Monday, July 12, in Sheboygan Falls.
Christenson took a no-hitter into the top of the fifth inning, when Kewaskum’s leadoff hitter Mike Schladweiller doubled and scored on a ground out.
In the seventh inning, with the Falcons leading 3-1, Christenson was lifted after the first two Kewaskum batters reached base to start the inning.
Kewaskum tested the Falcons defense with two sacrifice bunts and a run-scoring suicide squeeze. With two outs and runners at second and third, Preder collected himself and threw a changeup that struck out the last batter.
“I was confident that I could get the win for my team,” said Preder. “It was a slow curve that made the batter swing early.”
“This was the best game that I have pitched all season,” said Christenson. “We knew we could play with Kewaskum and we helped ruin their undefeated season.”
The Falcons scored two runs in the first inning. Zach Van Engen singled and scored on a wild pitch. Adam Lorenz drew a walk and scored on a RBI single from Jake Meyer.
Indians pitcher Cody Nuerenberg kept the game close, but was wild at times, striking out eight batters, giving up four walks and hitting two batters.
Nuerenberg hit Van Engen with a pitch to start the fifth inning, and later scored on an error by the Indians shortstop. Van Engen scored two runs to lead the Falcons and Meyer finished 2-for-3, with one RBI.
The Falcons finished the regular season at 9-9 in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference with a 7-2 loss to the New Holstein Huskies on Tuesday, July 13.
Falls moved into a third place tie with Plymouth, while New Holstein tied for second with Campbellsport at 10-8. Kewaskum won the EWC title, with a 15-1 record.
The Falcons finished the regular season at 12-21 overall, following a doubleheader split with Brown Deer. Falls won 5-2 won and lost 14-4 on Thursday, July 15.
On Friday, July 16 Homestead swept a pair of games from Falls 5-1 and 8-3. The No. 3 seeded Falls squad played No. 6 seed Kiel in a WIAA regional playoff game Tuesday, July 20. The winner will play in a WIAA sectional semifinal playoff game Friday, July 24, at New Holstein.
| BASEBALL | |
| SHEBOYGAN 2 | |
| FALLS | |
| NEW | 7 |
| HOLSTEIN | |
Score by Innings
Sheboygan Falls…001 010 0 - 2 7 0
New Holstein……..300 004 x - 7 13 2
Russell Preder and Bobby Musil. Jake Entringer, Cody Thede (4) and Thede, Kevin Kutz. W-Thede. L-Preder 2-6.
2B’s-Sheboygan Falls, Musil, Cole Heili. New Holstein, Thede 2, Entringer.
| KEWASKUM | 2 |
| SHEBOYGAN 3 | |
| FALLS | |
Score by Innings
Kewaskum…………..000 010 1 - 2 2 1
Sheboygan Falls…..200 010 x - 3 3 1
Cody Nuerenberg and Cody Seibel. Devin Christenson, Russell Preder (7) and Bobby Musil. W-Christenson 5-2. LN_
u_e_r e_n_b_e r_g _. 2_B_- K_e_w_a_s k_u_m_, _M_i k_e _S_c h_a l d w e i l e r.
