Wilhelmi Leads Springfield Over Brewers

5/10/09

Springfield opened the 2009 Tomahawk East League season by traveling to New Ulm's Johnson Park to take on a Brewer team with many new faces. Brandon Wilhelmi led the Tigers on the mound, at the plate, and in the field as they pulled out a one-run victory.

The visitors wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Brent Haseleu worked a walk and stole second. Brandon Wilhelmi moved Haseleu to third with an infield single. An errant pick-off throw to first allowed Haseleu to come in to score, putting the Tigers in the lead, 1-0. Haseleu  walked to lead-off the top of the third. Wilhelmi got another infield single and Haseleu came around to score on a wild throw giving the Tigers a two run lead.

Springfield's patience at the plate paid off in the fourth. Al Wilhelmi, Jason Nachreiner, and Ken Sather worked three straight walks to load the bases. Haseleu was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Brandon Wilhelmi walked to force in the second run in the inning, before a wild pitch allowed Haseleu to score from third. Without the aid of a hit, the Tigers increased their lead to five.

Brandon Wilhelmi was excellent on the mound, allowing just two hits during his first five innings of work. He was touched for a run in the home half of the fourth giving up a lead-off double. Two straight ground outs brought the runner around to score, making it 5-1. New Ulm cut their deficit to three in the bottom of the sixth by putting together three singles to bring the tally to 5-2.

The Tigers were held off the scoreboard during the final five innings, getting two runners on twice, but they were unable to increase their lead. Jake Miesen came on in the bottom of the eighth and surrendered a run in each of the final two innings. Key double plays ended Brewer threats in both the eighth and ninth and secured the Springfield victory, 5-4.

Brandon Wilhelmi accounted for half of the Springfield hits with three. Brent Haseleu, Marty Brandl, and Jason Nachreiner each added singles. Wilhelmi picked up the victory on the mound, striking out nine during seven innings of work. Jake Miesen earned a save working the final two innings. The Tigers return home on Saturday for a 2pm exhibition match-up with the Mountain Lake Lakers. They'll continue league play on Sunday when they travel to Essig to take on the Bluejays. We hope to see you there!


Linescore

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB
Springfield 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 1 10
New Ulm 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 4 8 2 9

Springfield Box

AB R H RBI BB SO
Sather, CF 4 1 0 0 1 4
Haseleu, 2B 2 3 1 1 2 1 HP
Baier, SS/3B 5 0 0 0 0 1
B. Wilhelmi, P/SS 4 0 3 1 1 0 2B
Moritz, C 5 0 0 0 0 4
Brandl, RF 4 0 1 0 0 1 HP
Miesen, 3B/P 4 0 0 0 0 3
A. Wilhelmi, LF 2 1 0 0 2 0
Nachreiner, 1B 3 0 1 0 1 2
33 5 6 2 7 16
IP H R ER BB SO
Wilhelmi (W, 1-0) 7    5 2 2 4 9
Miesen (SV, 1) 2    3 2 1 2 0

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