Shawano Leader Sports Headlines

Marion/Tigerton out after forcing second gameBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz The Clintonville Diamond Cats celebrate their American Legion Class A Region 3 title after beating Marion/Tigerton in the championship game Sunday in Marion. After Marion/Tigerton forced a championship game with a 5-4 win earlier in the day, Clintonville won 7-4 to punch its ticket to state.

The Clintonville American Legion baseball team is heading back to state after winning the rubber match against Marion/Tigerton 7-4 Sunday night in Marion.

The Diamond Cats will open state play Wednesday against Nekoosa, which is hosting the Class A tournament.

“We got this one for coach (Jeremy) Schoenike,” said coach Dean Muthig, who was filling in for Schoenike, who had a prior commitment. “This is his first year being the head guy. He had a trip that he couldn’t get out of that was planned ahead of time. I know he’s hating like heck that he can’t be here right now.”

Clintonville, which fell 5-4 in the first game between the two teams Sunday, took a 3-1 lead after the first inning of the second game and never gave it back.

Marion/Tigerton (8-9) did give Clintonville a scare, scoring a run in the sixth and getting a two-run home run from Justin Miller in the seventh.

“It was fun,” Marion/Tigerton coach John Kopitzke said. “We had an excellent tournament here. It’s fun to make Clintonville earn it. Now they know we’re something to be reckoned with.”

Marion/Tigerton pitcher Woodrow Nelson hit an RBI double in the first.

Turner Doornink hit an RBI double to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. That was followed by an RBI double by Jansen VanDaalwyk and an RBI single by Nick Hogen.

Doornink was injured scoring the run and left the game after trying to play at first base in the second inning.

“A player like Turner going down early in the game, that just showed what our guys are made of,” Muthig said. “They stuck it out and got runs when we could. Jaden came out and threw a great game.”

Jaden Doornink allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked five.

Nelson took the loss, allowing seven runs on 11 hits. He struck out one and walked one.

VanDaalwyk got a two-run double in the fifth. Nick Hogen finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Aaron Morse went 2 for 2.

Alex Eland cut the Clintonville lead to 6-2 with an RBI double in the sixth.

In the first game of the day, Andrew Cunliff hit a two-RBI double in the fourth inning to tie the game 4-4. Cunliff then scored the go-ahead run on David Stenson’s base hit.

Hoffman went the distance, allowing eight hits, striking out six and walking one.

VanDaalwyk took the loss. He struck out four and walked nine. Doornink was 3 for 3 with an RBI. Damon Lorge hit a two-run double in the second.

“The first game we jumped out to a lead, and I think we got a little too comfortable,” Muthig said. “You have to give them credit. They outplayed us. They earned that win. They just went out and beat us that first game.”

On Saturday, Marion/Tigerton beat Weyauwega-Fremont 11-7, then defeated Bonduel 10-6 to set up Sunday’s action.

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Hortonville 8, Shawano 1

The Shawano Lobos (21-6, 11-3) lost to Hortonville 8-1 in a Dairyland League game Sunday at Martzke Park in Shawano.

Eric Stenson took the loss, giving up six runs in six innings of work. TJ Arrowood led at the plate, going 2 for 4. Stenson added a double.

Caleb Boushley earned the win, striking out six, walking three and giving up three hits and one run in eight innings of work.

Shawano 3, Pulaski 1

The Shawano Lobos won their tournament with a 3-1 win over Pulaski in Friday’s championship game.

Bryce Szymanski, who pitched a complete game 1-hitter, earned the win. He walked one and gave up one run. He was also 2 for 3 at the plate with a pair of doubles.

Matt Zacharias took the loss, pitching five innings with three strikeouts, one walk. He gave up three runs on four hits.

Bonduel 7, Leopolis 0

Jed Reinke struck out seven in Bonduel’s win over Leopolis in the third-place game of the Shawano Lobos tournament third-place game Friday.

Reinke gave up five hits.

Austin Hoffman took the loss.

Shawano 6, Leopolis 4

Dave Bohr picked up the win for the Shawano Lobos on Wednesday against Leopolis, pitching six innings and striking out seven, walking two and giving up two runs on six hits. Jack Lacy pitched the seventh inning to get the save.

Kyle Wirkus led the Lobos at the plate, going 2 for 3.

Austin Hoffman took the loss for Leopolis, pitching two innings. He struck out one, walked five and gave up four hits and five runs.

Kyle Hoffman led Leopolis, going 2 for 4.

Pulaski 9, Bonduel 4

Erasing a 4-0 early deficit, the Reds scored five runs in the third and added another four in the fourth.

Nate Schadre, Kyle Kubiak and Dustin Hasse each had two hits apiece for Pulaski.

Eric Gruenewald was 2 for 4 and Hunter VanderLinden 2 for 3 to lead Bonduel.

Nick Dagneau earned the win. Luke Kostreva took the loss.

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2 inducted into Speedway Hall of FameBy: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

Shawano Speedway on Saturday honored legends Jerry “Medina” Smith and Cubby Lamberies as the newest members of the historic half-mile’s Hall of Fame.

On the track, Brett Swedberg scored his first win of the season in the Late Model feature, outdueling Tim Rothe, who led most of the race.

Travis VanStraten (IMCA Stock Car) won his fifth feature, and Josh Slewinski (Mighty Four) secured his third win of the year, leading from wire to wire.

Dancin’ Lance Arneson (IMCA Modified) and Jordan Bartz (IMCA Sport Mod) each won their second features of the year.

Late Models

Michael Stangl took off from his outside front row starting position and took the lead at the start of the Late Model feature. Rothe used the inside line to gain an advantage over Stangl and take the lead on the eighth lap of the race. At the half way point of the 20-lap race, rookie Kurt Moeller had passed Stangle to move into second and Swedberg had begun to pressure Stangl for third. The following lap though saw Moeller pull to pit lane with mechanical problems. On lap 12, Swedberg raced his way into second and began the arduous task of hunting down Rothe, who had built a comfortable lead.

Each ensuing lap saw Swedberg get closer to Rothe. The pair ran side by side on lap 19 with Rothe leading by a bumper at the start-finish line. Swedberg overtook Rothe entering turn one for the final time and held the advantage heading down the back stretch. Rothe got into the wall and spun, bringing out the yellow flag. Being that the leader had taken the white flag before the yellow came out, the race was scored complete. Swedberg picked up his first win of the year.

Tom Naeyeart had his best finish of the season, coming home in second. Troy Springborn took third. Ron Berna and Doug Blashe completed the top five.

IMCA Modifieds

The IMCA Modified feature saw 2011 rookie of the year Derek Kozak take the lead on lap one. As the race went on, Kozak continued to look strong and held the lead until lap nine when Eddie Muenster took over the lead. On lap 10, it was Muenster leading, Kozak in second and Troy Jerovetz running third.

Muenster, Jerovet and Arneson made it a three-way battle for the lead by lap 15. On lap 16 Arneson went around the outside of both Muenster and Jerovetz to take the lead. During the final laps of the race, Arneson ran his car right next to the wall through the turns while Jerovetz tried to catch him down low. Arneson, who started ninth, went on to win his second race of the season. Tenth-place starter Jerovetz held on to finish second. Muenster was third.

IMCA Stock Cars

Chris Loewenhagen led the first seven laps before VanStraten made a pass for the lead. VanStraten quickly pulled away while Loewenhagen and Gary Kasperek battled for second. On lap 15 Kasperek passed Loewenhagen to move to the runner-up spot. VanStraten was virtually untouchable in winning his fifth feature of the year. Kasperek had his best finish of the season in second. Loewenhagen also had his best showing, crossing the line in third.

IMCA Sport Mods

Third-generation racer Brock Saunders took the lead to start the IMCA Sport Mod feature. By lap five of the race, Saunders began to get pressure from Lucas Lamberies and Bartz. Lamberies, who was sporting a throwback body in honor of his Grandfather Cubby, who was inducted into the track’s Hall of Fame at intermission, was looking for his third win in a row.

With Saunders leading, Lamberies and Bartz battled side by side for second. On lap 12, Bartz went to the inside of Saunders as Lamberies went to the outside of Saunders, with Bartz coming out with the lead. Though Lamberies pressured Bartz for the remainder of the race, Bartz went on to win her second feature of the season. Lamberies had to settle for second. Joey Taycher passed Saunders to finish third.

Mighty Fours

Slewinski led wire to wire on the way to his third feature win of the season. Kasey Gross finished second. Matt Hatterman finished third.

This week

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will compete at the Shawano Speedway on Tuesday along with IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Mods. Racing will begin at 7 p.m.

Racing will continue at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with the 10th annual Bud Lynn Memorial night.

RACE SUMMARY

Shawano Speedway

July 26

Late Model Feature: 1. Brett Swedberg, 2. Tom Naeyaert, 3. Troy Springborn, 4. Ron Berna, 5. Doug Blashe, 6. Mike Stangl, 7. Cody Welch, 8. Derek Jahnke, 9. Aaron Holiday, 10. Adam Jahnke.

Heat 1: 1. Swedberg, 2. Tim Rothe, 3. Doug Blashe.

Heat 2: 1. Springborn, 2. Naeyaert, 3. Ron Berna.

IMCA Modified Feature: 1. Lance Arneson, 2. Troy Jerovetz, 3. Eddie Muenster, 4. Jamie Schmidt, 5. Marcus Yarie, 6. Matt Oreskovich, 7. Derek Kozak, 8. Eric Arneson, 9. Mark Weisnicht, 10. Cody Hudson.

Heat 1: 1. Yarie, 2. E. Arneson, 3. Oreskovich.

Heat 2: 1. Jerry Wilinski, 2. Jerovetz, 3. Kozak.

IMCA Stock Car Feature: 1. Travis VanStraten, 2. Gary Kasperek, 3. Chris Loewenhagen, 4. Harley Simon, 5. Vern Stedjee 6. Luke Uttecht, 7. Tom Riehl, 8. Trent Nolan, 9. Greg Gutt, 10. Larry Buckwheat.

Heat 1: 1. Simon, 2. Stedjee, 3. Buckwheat.

Heat 2: 1. VanStraten, 2. Uttecht, 3. Riehl.

IMCA Sport Mod Feature: 1. Jordan Bartz, 2. Lucas Lamberies, 3. Joey Taycher, 4. Bock Saunders, 5. Jason Jach, 6. Tracy Wassenberg, 7. Don Woller, 8. Nick Furman, 9. Austin Carter, 10. Wyatt Block.

Heat 1: 1. Taycher, 2. Saunders, 3. Jach.

Heat 2: 1. Bartz, 2. Lamberies, 3. Carter.

Mighty Four Feature: 1. Josh Slewinski, 2. Casey Gross, 3. Matt Hatterman, 4. Lucas Hacker, 5. Jeff Behm, 6. Tanner Westphal, 7. Brad Wedde, 8. Matt Dewilde, 9. Jim Burton, 10. Cody Reed.

Heat 1: 1. Hatterman, 2. Behm, 3. Chris Hidde.

Heat 2: 1. Slewinski, 2. Gross, 3. Dalton Nelson.

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Eastern Division

Shawano 7, Gresham 6

Hunter Galaski had a home run and Bobby Brunker was 2 for 4 to lead Shawano.

Casey Carroll was 2 for 3 for Gresham. Adam Carroll was 2 for 4.

Ben Scheidermayer earned the win, and Zack Schutt took the loss.

Clintonville 13, Marion 0

John Dunlavy earned the win and was 4 for 6 with two doubles and three RBIs.

Dean Muthig was 4 for 5 with a home run and five RBIs for Clintonville. Jared Westphal was 4 for 6 with a double.

Joey Green was 2 for 3 to lead Marion. Chase Stenson took the loss.

Neopit 4, Menominee 1

Sasweon Waukechon was 2 for 4 with a double for Neopit. Roger Corn also had a double.

Dustin Peters was the winning pitcher.

Awonapay was 2 for 2 to lead Menominee at the plate and took the loss on the mound. Shane Latender and Melvin Chevalier had a hit each.

Western Division

Tigerton 9, Tilleda 4

Jon Berg was 2 for 3 with a grand slam home run to lead Tigerton. Eric Kroening was 2 for 3. Brad Breaker was 2 for 4 with a double. Shawn Much was 2 for 3.

Rob Flanagan was 2 for 3 to lead Tilleda.

Paul Sellner earned the win. Curt Brei took the loss.

Tigerton 18, Tilleda 3

Eric Kroening was 4 for 5 to lead Tigerton at the plate. Jon Berg was 2 for 4, Paul Sellner was 2 for 6 with a double and Brandon Sivertson was 2 for 4. Eric Gendusa and Gunner Kopitzke each had a double.

Stephen Reinke was 2 for 4, Doug Brei was 2 for 4, Curt Brei was 2 for 2 ad Rob Flanagan was 2 for 5.

Shawn Much earned the win on the mound. Joel Brei took the loss.

Leopolis 6, Little Falls 2

Hunter Hoffman earned the win. Graham Barden took the loss.

No other information was available on the game.

Leopolis 11, Little Falls 10

Tyler Dillenberg edged out Kyle Fischer to get the win.

Brock Hoffman was 3 for 5 to lead Leopolis. Hunter Hoffman and Austin Hoffman each had a pair of hits. Kyle Hoffman had a double.

John Prahl was 4 for 5 with a double to lead Little Falls. Fischer had a home run. Drew Radies had two hits.

Bowler 11, Caroline 10

Paul Murphy scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning. He was 2 for 3 with a triple. Zack Olson was 2 for 6 with a triple and four RBIs. Pat Provoast was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Walker Miller was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Lucas Kroening was 2 for 4.

Adam Weatherwax was 4 for 6 to lead Caroline. Travis Verg was 2 for 4 with a double. Andrew Krisof had a home run and Mike Fischer added a double.

Phil Duffek earned the win. Nathaniel Krueger took the loss.

Other divisions

Northern: Elderon swamped Eland 16-1, Polar beat Birnamwood 11-8, Aniwa topped Wittenberg 12-2

South-Central: Lanark beat Manawa 13-3.

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Defensive lapses contribute to 11-5 lossBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Legion shortstop Zack Sousek tags out Mosinee’s Ryan Jamroz at second for the first half of a double play Friday. Shawano beat Mosinee 7-3 to advance in the American Legion Class AA Region 3 tournament but was eliminated with a loss to Oconto Falls.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Legion pitcher Grant Wainio throws during Friday’s American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament game against Mosinee. Shawano won, 7-3, but later was eliminated from the tourney with an 11-5 loss to Oconto Falls.

Oconto Falls eliminated Shawano from the American Legion Class AA Region 3 tournament Friday night at Memorial Park.

Defensive mistakes were again costly for Shawano (11-7) in the 11-5 loss.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, Shawano tied the score in the top of the second on Mason Boogren’s two-run double and took the lead an inning later when Zack Sousek scored on an error.

Oconto Falls (12-10) tied the game on Derek Zahn’s double to left field, an echo of the two-run double he hit to help beat Shawano on Thursday night in the double-elimination tourney.

“Derek Zahn’s bat has just been huge for us in this tournament,” Oconto Falls coach Chris Hillberg said. “It seems like every time he’s up, he’s hitting a double. Just stroking the baseball. It’s a joy to watch.”

Alex Johnson then hit a double to center field that chased Shawano pitcher Clint Dallas from the mound. Like in Thursday’s loss, both high-hit doubles were hard for Shawano outfielders to find in the darkening sky.

Boogren, who had a good inning closing out Shawano’s 7-3 victory against Mosinee earlier in the day, couldn’t stem Oconto Falls’ momentum.

“When you get in a hole early, sometimes it’s tough to come back from that,” Shawano coach Will Gillis said. “We’ve done it this year. It gets tough, especially in a tournament like this, when you know you have to win today, you have to win two tomorrow.”

A sacrifice fly by Connor Sefcik and an RBI single by Dylan Woosman put Oconto Falls up for good.

Oconto Falls would add six more runs over the next two innings.

Shawano’s Chase Henning scored on a wild pitch in the fifth and drove in Jon Koth in the sixth.

Boogren was 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Frechette was 2 for 4.

“We didn’t get a clutch hit, but we still had good bat at-bats,” Gillis said. “I wasn’t too unhappy with anyone’s at-bats. I think everyone had good approaches at the plate.”

Dallas allowed four runs on six hits in two innings. He struck out one and walked one. Boogren allowed seven runs on six hits and walked one. Boogren was replaced in the sixth by Brandon Cummings, who allowed a hit and struck out one. Shawano also had three errors in the game.

Colten Giese was 3 for 3 to lead Oconto Falls. Derek Zahn and Michael Manns had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs apiece.

Zahn earned the win, allowing five runs on seven hits and walking five in 5 1/3 innings of work. Taylor Brabant finished the game. He struck out one and allowed no hits and no runs.

“Like I told the kids, the things that plagued us all year when we lost, were the things that plagued us tonight,” Gillis said. “We didn’t play great defense.”

In its first game Friday, Shawano dispatched Mosinee from the tournament.

Shawano rallied from a 1-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the fourth, added two more in the fifth and, after Mosinee got within 4-3, got a trio of runs in the sixth.

“When they came back on us, we came right back on them,” Gillis said. “We put them down for good. That was big.”

Grant Wainio had a pair of doubles, including a two-RBI shot in the sixth, to lead Shawano at the plate. He also picked up the win on the mound before being relieved by Boogren in the sixth inning.

Wainio allowed three runs on eight hits. Boogren allowed a hit, struck out two and walked one in 1 2/3 innings.

Clint Dallas was 2 for 3 with an RBI single in the fifth. Zack Sousek had two hits, including an RBI single in the fourth.

Mosinee pitcher Chris Tomski allowed seven runs on nine hits, walked nine and struck out one.

The coach said the season was a major step in the right direction.

“This is a humongous improvement over last year,” Gillis said. “This year we were 10-4 in the conference. Last year we were 2-10. We went from last to second. Overall, we beat some teams in the area that are really good teams. … I couldn’t be happier with the kids that came out.”

Oconto Falls will face Kaukauna at noon Saturday.

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By: 

Scott Owen, Leader Columnist

Midseason racing at the Shawano Speedway means there are a lot of story lines to get caught up on.

First off, two more legends will join the Shawano Speedway Hall Of Fame on Saturday night.

Jerry “Medina” Smith and Cubby Lamberies will join racers MJ McBride, Pete Parker, Terry Anvelink, R.A. Bob Schmidt, Roger Regeth, John Beyers, Les Yaeger, Lyle “Pappy” Diemel, Bobby Bennett, Jerry Muenster, John Schultz, Roger Paul, Cliff “Squeek” Miller and former track announcer Jerry Rhode in the hall.

Lamberies was one of the track’s early hotshoes back in the 1960s, while Smith gained fame as one of the top Late Model drivers at the track in the 1970s.

Smith won the track championship in 1972 and also held the track record for fastest lap in time trials numerous times in his career.

Lamberies has continued to stay involved in racing through the years—first by helping his son Kevin become a track champion, and now by helping grandson Lucas become one of the top IMCA Sport Mod racers at Shawano.

Anticipation is also building for Tuesday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model series race. The traveling stars roll into town for a fifth consecutive season. The field of cars should be very strong this year.

Drivers to watch include former Navarino resident AJ Diemel.

Diemel, the grandson of the aforementioned Pappy Diemel, finished fifth in last year’s race. The former track champion should again be strong contender.

Diemel’s longtime friend and competitor, Nick Anvelink, has run well with the Outlaws in the past and is also looking to have a good showing.

Anvelink and Diemel both have plans to race again with the Outlaws next weekend at the Cedar Lake Speedway’s annual USA Nationals.

Last week’s Racing for a Reason night was hugely successful, as a great crowd of racers and fans came out to support the fight against childhood cancer.

Three-time IMCA Modified champion Jared Siefert returned to the track last week and finished fourth in the night’s feature. Siefert spoke about his plans to race in the Late Model division next season.

Siefert’s father, Art, was a Sportsman Division track champion at Shawano in 1982.

Rumor has it that Pulaski’s Brad Rohloff will be back behind the wheel of an IMCA Modified this week. Rohloff has been a front-running Modified and Late Model driver since the 1980s.

As the season winds on through July and into August, look for things to heat up on track.

See you at the Speedway.

Scott Owen is the track announcer at Shawano Speedway.Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Clintonville 1, Bonduel 0

The Bonduel American Legion baseball team lost to Clintonville 1-0 Friday in the Class A Region 3 tournament in Marion.

Clintonville pitcher Turner Doornink threw a no-hitter to give Bonduel its first loss of the double-elimination tourney. Bonduel pitcher Jake Luepke gave up two hits to Clintonville.

Jake VanAllen got the game-winning RBI on a single in the third inning to bring home Aaron Morse, who reached on a Bonduel error.

Bonduel will play at 3 p.m. Saturday against the winner of the 1 p.m. game between Marion/Tigerton and Weyauwega-Fremont. If Bonduel wins, the championship game against Clintonville will be played at 5 p.m.

If Marion/Tigerton or Weyauwega-Fremont advance, the game with Clintonville will be played on Sunday.

Marion/Tigerton 5, Menominee 1

The Menominee American Legion baseball team was eliminated from the Class A Region 3 tournament Friday with a 5-1 loss to Marion/Tigerton in Marion.

Hayden Harris picked up the win. Tom Williams took the loss.

Woodrow Nelson led Marion/Tigerton, going 2 for 3 with four RBIs. Justin Miller was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Walker Miller led Menominee with a pair of singles.

Marion/Tigerton will play at 1 p.m. Saturday against Weyauwega-Fremont, which beat Manawa 8-3 Friday.

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Prey, Magnin pile up 28 strikeoutsBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Oconto Falls Legion pitcher Hunter Magnin throws a pitch during Thursday’s Class AA Region 3 game against Shawano at Memorial Park. Shawano lost, 2-0.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Legion pitcher Taylor Prey winds up during Thursday’s Class AA Region 3 tournament game against Oconto Falls at Memorial Park. Prey struck out 13 batters, but Shawano lost 2-0.

Shawano fell to Oconto Falls 2-0 Thursday in an American Legion Class AA Region 3 tournament game at Memorial Park.

Shawano pitcher Taylor Prey struck out 13 batters. His Oconto Falls counterpart, Hunter Magnin, fanned 15.

Prey struck out seven of the first nine batters — and would have had eight of 10 if not for an uncaught third strike. His performance was upstaged by Magnin, who had a slower start but got the strikes when it mattered.

“(Prey) pitched very well,” Shawano coach Will Gillis said. “He struck out a lot of guys. Magnin, we got opportunities to score, got guys on, guys in scoring position at third base, and he just buckled down and he threw really well. You knew that coming in that he was the top pitcher in their league.”

“Great pitching performance both ways,” Oconto Falls coach Chris Hilberg said. “They both gutted it out, hit the corners well, kept the ball down well. Both pitchers were just outstanding tonight.”

With the loss, Shawano will face Mosinee, which lost to Kaukauna 3-0 Thursday, at 2 p.m. Friday. Kaukauna and Oconto Falls will play at 5 p.m. The winner of the Shawano/Mosinee game will play the loser of the Oconto Falls and Kaukauna game at 8 p.m.

Oconto Falls broke the scoreless pitching dual in the fourth, when Mike Manns got a base on balls, stole second and came home on a Derek Zahn double to deep center field. Shawano center fielder Chase Henning couldn’t locate the ball.

“We had a fluke thing where there’s a certain time at night where it’s tough to see the ball,” Gillis said. “It happens pretty regularly. It happened a couple of times this year to other teams, too.”

Oconto Falls added another run in the fifth after loading the bases, setting up Colton Giese for an RBI single.

“There were a couple of balls up in the air that they didn’t get to, a couple of balls that we didn’t get to,” Hillberg said. “We fortunately got some runs out of it. The ones we missed, they didn’t capitalize on. It was a well-played baseball game.”

In the bottom of the frame, Shawano had an opportunity to score when Ty Schmidt reached on a walk and advanced to third on a Prey single. But Magnin then struck out Alex Frechette to end the inning.

Shawano had the top of the order leading off the bottom of the seventh. Zach Sousek hit a ball to deep left to get a double, but once again Magnin’s pitching stymied Shawano’s bats. Magnin struck out the next two batters, before Prey ground out to end the game.

“I’m still waiting for my heart to start beating again,” Hillberg said. “I’m pretty sure it stopped beat that whole last half of the bottom of the seventh there.”

“We had good at-bats,” Gillis said. “We just couldn’t get the big hit.”

Prey allowed four hits in the game and walked two batters. Magnin allowed six hits and walked three.

Grant Wainio led Shawano at the plate, going 2 for 3.

Alex Johnson and Dylan Woosman had Oconto Falls’ other hits.

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Clintonville 4, Marion/Tigerton 3

The Clintonville American Legion advanced in the American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament Thursday with a 4-3 win over Marion/Tigerton in Marion.

Nick Hogan earned the win. Woodrow Nelson took the loss.

Parker Mindel led Clintonville, going 2 for 4.

Justin Miller was 3 for 5 to lead Marion/Tigerton. Nelson had two RBIs on a base hit.

Clintonville will face Bonduel at 4 p.m. Friday. Marion/Tigerton will face Menominee at noon.

Weyauwega-Fremont 9, Oconto 1

Weyauwega-Fremont eliminated Oconto from the American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament with a 9-1 win Thursday night in Marion.

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Rosin strikes out 8 in winBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel Legion batter Hunter VanderLinden gets a hit against Manawa during an American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament game Thursday in Marion. Bonduel won, 6-1.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel Legion pitcher Connor Rosin throws during the third inning of a game against Manawa on Thursday in Marion. Bonduel won, 6-1, in the American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament.

Thanks to a solid day on the mound by Connor Rosin, the Bonduel American Legion baseball team beat Manawa 6-1 to advance in the Class A Region 3 tournament Thursday in Marion.

“They finally came to play,” Bonduel coach Jason Luepke said. “All year long I told them this is what we play for.”

Rosin held Manawa to just one run on five hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking one.

“Connor was right on, again,” Luepke said. “I don’t think he showed his best. I think he plays to his competition or whatever, but pretty solid win.”

The Bears jumped ahead with a trio of runs in the second inning. Colton Dobratz, who led Bonduel at the plate, hit his first double of the day to score one run. Bonduel plated two more on Manawa errors.

After going scoreless the next three innings, Manawa’s Luke Wilz provided an RBI double in the top of the sixth, but Bonduel got it back in the bottom of the frame when Austin Siolka scored on a wild pitch.

Bonduel added two more runs in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Patrick Thiel and a RBI triple by Rosin.

Siolka and Trevor Pederson each had two hits.

“We hit the ball well,” Luepke said. “I like to see that because all year we’ve been struggling with that.”

Manawa pitcher Tanner Hanson allowed nine hits and one walk. He also led Manawa at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double.

“In New London, they did beat us with that same pitcher,” Luepke said. “So we kind of figured we’d see him.”

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Trio of pitchers struggle against ManawaBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Menominee batter Walker Miller splits a bat during Wednesday’s Class A Region 3 tournament game against Manawa. Menominee lost 13-1 in five innings.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Menominee pitcher Brady Hoffman grabs a ground ball during Wednesday’s American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament game against Manawa in Marion. Menominee lost 13-1 in five innings.

It was the kind of day when nothing goes right: you almost get shut out, you give up a seven-run inning, you break a bat and your ninth — and last — player gets injured.

That’s how it went for the Menominee American Legion baseball team Wednesday in the opening game of the American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament in Marion, a 13-1 loss to Manawa.

“They showed up to play,” Menominee coach Brandon Frechette said of Manawa. “That’s what it’s about when it comes to the tournament. They came out and they were ready to go, and we weren’t. It’s as simple as that.”

Scoreless after 1½ innings, the game got ugly quickly as Menominee (9-5) gave up five runs in the bottom of the second. A few pitching struggles and an inning later, Manawa (7-8) was ahead 12-0. Manawa tacked on another run in the fourth.

Menominee finally managed to plate a run in the top of the fifth. Scott Cerveny reached on an error, stole second and scored on a single by Walker Miller, who had two hits in the game and split a bat.

Brady Hoffman, who would also finish with two hits, singled before Manawa pitcher Camden Moser grabbed a bouncing ground ball hit by Dallas Madosh and ended the inning with a throw to first.

The game ended by the 10-run rule.

Menominee dressed only nine players Wednesday because four starters had other commitments. When John Maskiwit injured his hip running the bases in the fourth, it appeared Menominee would not have enough players on defense. A limping Maskiwit, however, managed to take right field to get Menominee through the fourth inning.

“The guys that are out of town right now, it definitely hurt,” Frechette said. “I can’t make that my headline or anything, but we were lucky to have nine guys today.”

Lowell Chevalier started on the mound for Menominee. He allowed five runs on three hits, struck out two and walked none in two innings of work.

In the third, Frechette put Miller on the mound. Miller would last only 2/3 of the inning, getting pulled in favor of Hoffman after giving up five walks and six runs. Hoffman allowed four hits, two runs and one walk.

Moser went all five innings for Manawa, allowing one run on six hits, striking out two and walking two. Aaron Langman led Manawa’s batters, going 3 for 3, including an RBI triple in the third inning.

Menominee will play again on Friday. The opponent will be determined Thursday.

“Hopefully we can bounce back Friday and we can show up ready to play,” Frechette said.

Manawa will play Bonduel (8-4) at 3 p.m. Thursday.

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Ski Sharks finish ninth in team eventBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Cody Siolka provided the highlight for an inexperienced Shawano Ski Sharks team at the 48th annual Wisconsin State Water Ski Show championship last week in Wisconsin Rapids.

Siolka placed second in the individual freestyle jump Thursday.

“He was competing against all the pro skiers across the state, and he did an amazing job,” teammate Brad Keuschel said.

However, the Sharks did not fare as well in Friday’s team competition, finishing last among the nine Division II teams.

The Sharks’ 25-member team competed against teams with up to 35 members.

“We had a good day of skiing but skied against teams much larger than us,” said Dave Passehl, Ski Sharks’ manager. “Size matters in show skiing, and because of our small size, it is hard to compete at that level.”

Passehl said nearly half the members of the team were new and had never competed in a state competition.

“There were up to 28 total teams with thousands of people at the competition, so it was a big deal for them,” Passehl said.

Teams were judged on difficulty of performance, spectator appeal, showmanship, music style and costumes. There were also categories awarded to support staff, including announcing and boat driving.

Keuschel said the state experience will help the team in the future.

“We are going to keep growing by adding more skiers for next year,” he said.

The Sharks won the Division II title in 2010, finished third in 2012 and placed fifth in 2013.

The Ski Sharks will continue their weekly shows at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Wolf River Beach through Aug. 13.

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Bears had 54-35 record past 4 seasonsBy: 

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Don Gruenewald is stepping down as the Bonduel High School varsity baseball coach, ending his four-year run as the Bears’ skipper.

Gruenewald, who finishes with a 54-35 record and coached the Bears to a WIAA Division 3 regional championship in 2013, said he felt it was time to go.

“It was nothing to do with kids, parents, administration or anything like that,” he said. “I’ve been coaching basketball for 12 years at the high school, and baseball for 10 years, and it just got to be a little bit more than what I really wanted right now.

“I just became a grandparent last year, and I just thought it was time to step down and let somebody else take over.”

The coach, who will continue to be involved with the BHS basketball program, said going from basketball right into baseball was a long stretch without a break.

“I was starting to get a little burnt out, I think,” he said. “You go from basketball right into baseball, and you don’t have any time off, really.”

Gruenewald started in the baseball program as an assistant in 2004 when his son, Eric, was a junior. Former coach Mark Margelofsky asked Gruenewald to help out.

“I though I might as well, I’m going to be at the games anyway,” Gruenewald said. “All I was doing was helping out. Someone to coach bases and helping with practice a little bit. That was it.”

After two years he became a varsity assistant, coached the freshman team in 2009, coached the junior varsity in 2010 and took over the varsity program when Margelofsky stepped down.

Gruenewald gave credit to the players for the team’s success the last four years.

“That’s a tribute to the kids,” he said. “They worked hard. They did all the playing. All I can do is suggestions. They have to want to play well, and they did.”

Gruenewald said winning the regional championship was one of his best memories. Tied 4-4 with Brillion in the 2013 Division 3 regional final, Gruenewald remembers Trevor Homan hitting a single and seeing Hunter VanderLinden heading into third base.

“It was kind of exciting, because there was no way I was going to stop Hunter VanderLinden,” Gruenewald said. “I saw his eyes coming into third base. If I had put up a stop sign, I don’t think he would have stopped anyway. He knew he was going to score.”

VanderLinden did get home, sealing the 5-4 win and the Bears’ regional title.

Gruenewald said he’s confident the BHS baseball program will continue to have success.

“Bonduel has always been a good baseball school because the kids like to play baseball,” he said. “Now with the youth program that we’ve got set up, I think it’s going to continue to be good.”

Gruenewald said the numbers of kids participating is encouraging, and it was tough to keep younger players from playing varsity because the program had so much talent.

“I think it’s a strong program, and I think it will continue to be a strong program,” he said.

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Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Shawano pitcher Braden Dickelman throws a strike in the second inning of a Shawano Youth League 12U game Saturday afternoon against Green Bay Amherst.

Shawano teams had second- and fourth-place finishes over the weekend at the 12U and 11U Shawano Youth League baseball tournaments at Memorial Park.

In the 12U tournament, Shawano took second. Suburban won the tournament. Escanaba was third and Peshtigo took fourth.

Shawano was fourth in the 11U tournament. Wausaukee was first, Kimberly second and Oshkosh North third.

This is the second of three tournament weekends for the Shawano Youth League. The 9U and 10U baseball tournament begins Friday and concludes Sunday.

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Bonduel 11, Shawano 0

Jack Reinke pitched a shutout to stymie the Shawano Lakers in the first game of the Shawano Dairyland tournament Monday at Martzke Park.

Reinke allowed two hits in five innings, struck out three and walked four. Luke Kostreva was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.

Bobby Brunker took the loss, allowing 11 runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out two.

Bonduel will face Pulaski in the first semifinal game at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Pulaski 3, Hofa Park 2

Kyle Kubiak hit a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Hofa Park 3-2 in the Shawano Dairyland tournament Monday.

Kubiak finished 2 for 3. Broc McDermid earned the win, going the distance and striking out three, walking three and giving up two runs on 10 hits.

Ryan Rozmarik was 2 for 4 and Zac Peterson was 3 for 4 for Hofa Park. Brett Nohr pitched 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five and gave up three runs on five hits.

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Eastern Division

Clintonville 11, Shawano 0

Patrick VanDaalwyk authored a three-hitter and fanned eight to lead the A’s past the Lakers.

Ryan Ebert was 3 for 4, John Dunlavy was 2 for 3 and Dean Muthig had a pair of doubles.

Bobby Brunker led Shawano, going 2 for 2. Ben Scheidermayer took the loss.

Marion 6, Neopit 4

Chase Stenson earned the win while Alex Peters took the loss.

Ryan Mortenson led Marion with two hits, including a triple. Cody Reimer and Dave Jueds had two hits apiece.

Wil Corn was 4 for 4 for Neopit. Roger Corn added a hit.

Gresham 28, Menominee 9

Brett Buckholtz was 6 for 6 with two doubles and a triple to lead Gresham. Zach Schutt was 4 for 5, Joe Ejnik was 3 for 6, and Nick Sperberg was 3 for 5 with a double.

Caril Waubenascum led Menominee, going 3 for 4. Steve Awonopay was 2 for 5. Paul Frechette was 2 for 5.

Pete Carrol earned the win. Alan O’Kimosh took the loss.

Western Division

Little Falls 22, Tilleda 0

Jerry Mork earned the win, while Joel Brei took the loss.

Drew Radies, Cam Grunewald, Ryan Gullixon, Dustin McAloon, Hunter Grunewald and Kal Fischer all had multiple hits for Little Falls.

Steve Reinke led Tilleda, going 2 for 3.

Leopolis 11, Bowler 4

Hunter Hoffman earned the win.

Tyler Dillenberg was 4 for 4 with a double. Hoffman added three hits, and Aaron Hoffman had a double.

Lucas Kroening was 3 for 3 for Bowler. Rainer Shooter and Caleb Zblewski each had a double.

Other divisions

Northern: Elderon beat Birnamwood 13-3, Wittenberg edged Hatley 12-10, and Eland beat Aniwa 4-2.

South-Central: Waupaca dominated New London 22-0 in seven innings, and Rosholt beat Manawa 15-14.

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Shawano 10, Freedom 3

The Shawano Lobos got a hot start Saturday with seven runs in the first two innings to beat Freedom 10-3.

Dylan Berg and TJ Arrowood each had three hits for the Lobos.

Berg also picked up the win on the mound.

Shawano 5, Pulaski 4

Jimmy Lacy hit a double to set up Ben Bystol’s game-winning hit to score pinch running Jack Lacy in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat Pulaski 5-4 Sunday.

Bystol also picked up the win on the mound, going the distance and allowing eight hits. He struck out six and walked one. He was 3 for 5 at the plate.

The Lobos will host their tournament this week at Martzke Park.

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A strong field of 101 cars and a grandstand full of fans turned out for the fourth annual Racing for a Reason night Saturday at the Shawano Speedway.

Paul Parker took the lead from Joel Bennett in lap 12 after going side-by-side for three laps in the Late Model feature. After a caution on lap 16, Parker rode the outside groove to his second consecutive victory at the Speedway. Nick Anvelink took second for the second straight week.

Lucas Lamberies shot from his sixth-place starting position into the lead on lap one of the IMCA sport Mod feature and led the rest of the way to pick up his second consecutive feature win.

Three drivers — Mark Weisnicht (IMCA Modified), Brandon Czarapata (IMCA Stock Car) and Grant Kastning (Mighty Four) — each won their first features of the season.

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By: 

Scott Owen, Leader Columnist

It has been said that in life, timing is everything. Recently the subject of how I got my start announcing was brought up on a social media website, and I have also had numerous people ask me how I got my start.

Well, sit down and come with me on a journey back to the year 1998.

Mike Mitchell was in the process of getting things rolling at his go-kart track, the Hi-Go Raceway. For reasons still unknown to me, I asked Mike one day if he needed an announcer. He responded with a yes and agreed to give me a shot.

Now, I had been a regular at the Shawano Speedway since 1990 and listened intently to the likes of Mike Fonder and Bob Schaefer, but I never really had a desire to be an announcer as a kid. I wanted to race!

In 1999 when the Hi-Go Raceway opened up, there I was atop the tower announcing races in the blazing Sunday afternoon sun.

During the season I had the pleasure of announcing races for the likes of Jason Jach, David Werbelow, Jeremy Schaewe, Erik Lambrecht, Tim Kroll and Brett Swedberg.

I got out of the announcing game after 1999 to go racing. I raced an IMCA Stock car during the 2000 and 2001 seasons until a bent-up car and an empty wallet ended my career.

I spent 2002 as a pit crew member for Jesse Peebles. I really hadn’t given much thought to announcing again until 2003, when Ed Bertram called me and asked if I would like to announce at the GSR Kartway.

I thought it seemed like a good idea to try it again. The year went well, and I had the pleasure of seeing the racing careers of drivers such as Joe Reuter, Marcus Yarie and Ross Kenseth bloom.

I got a call from Dale Hodkiewiecz in 2004 asking if I’d be interested in announcing at the Shawano Speedway after getting an endorsement from Jay and Nancy Flaig.

Again, I thought I’d give it a try. Veteran announcer Joe Verdegen mentored me during the early season and handed me the reins around the midpoint of the season.

I’ve been there ever since.

I’ve had the pleasure of announcing races for some of my best friends and racers who I admired as a kid. I’ve called races for the Lamberies family, the Muenster family, the Anvelink family, the Bennett family, the Michonski family and many more. I’ve been there for each Hall of Fame induction.

I’ve had a great career so far, and it all started because Mike Mitchell gave me a shot.

It has been a great 15 years since my announcing career began and I look forward to the next 15 years.

And now you know the rest of the story.

Scott Owen is the track announcer at Shawano Speedway.Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

By: 

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When the Shawano and Oconto Falls American Legion baseball teams clash in the second game of the Class AA Region 3 tournament game Thursday at Memorial Park, it will pit Oconto Falls’ lights-out pitching versus Shawano’s big bats.

The real test, Shawano coach Will Gillis said, will be avoiding errors on defense.

“When we hit the ball and play defense, we’re just as good or better than anyone else,” Gillis said. “I think if we get on them early, we have a really good chance of having some success.

“But, really, what most of our games come down to is whether or not we make a multitude of errors. If we don’t make mental errors, then I think we’ll have a really good chance of success.”

Chase Henning leads Shawano’s bats with a .429 average in Fox River Valley-West Division games. Teammate Ky Schmidt is hitting at a .387 clip. Mason Boogren isn’t far behind, with a .367 average.

Oconto Falls ace Hunter Magnin (3-2) leads the FRV-North Division with a 1.30 ERA in 32.1 innings on the mound. He has struck out 39 batters in division games, including seven in Monday’s 5-0 victory over Menominee, Michigan.

“I know he’s thrown two shutouts now,” Gillis said. “He’s their No. 1, and I’m positive we’ll see him.”

Oconto Falls also has the option of throwing Derek Zahn, Taylor Brabandt, Bo Shroyer or Evan Sigmund, but Magnin has been the workhorse.

Shawano (10-5, 8-4 FRV-West) and Oconto Falls (10-9, 7-7 FRV-North) will play the second game Thursday, following Kaukauna and Mosinee, who play at 5 p.m. The losing teams will play at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by a game between the winning teams at 5 p.m. The double-elimination tournament will continue into the weekend with the championship to be decided at 5 p.m., followed by a second game if necessary.

“Kaukauna is a very good team,” Gillis said. “They are pretty fundamentally sound at every position. They hit the ball well up and down the lineup. … Mosinee is kind of the wild card. We kind of know what Oconto Falls has with Hunter and Kaukauna has with their strong lineup.”

With the regional at Memorial Park, Gillis hopes fan support will give Shawano a slight advantage.

“Hopefully a lot of fans come out and support us,” Gillis said. “We’ve had decent support so far with the success we’ve had.”

AT A GLANCE

American Legion Baseball

Marion Class A Region

Opening Round

3 p.m. Wednesday: Menominee vs. Manawa

5 p.m. Wednesday: Clintonville vs. Weyauwega-Fremont

7 p.m. Wednesday: Marion/Tigerton vs. Oconto

3 p.m. Thursday: Bonduel vs. game 1 winner

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