By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School baseball team lost two tight Southern Lakes Conference games last week against Wilmot.
The Panthers beat the Elks 6-2 in the first game of a doubleheader April 17 at Elkhorn. Wilmot defeated the Elks 3-2 in extra innings in the second game.
Elkhorn dropped to 0-4 overall and in SLC play on the season.
Last season, Wilmot beat the Elks 13-3 the first time the two played and 13-1 in the rematch.
“Our experience shows that much more, since our kids were so young the last couple of years,” Elks coach Paul Manriquez said.
Elkhorn’s Josh Oglesby pitched well in the second game. Oglesby went eight innings and allowed six hits. He struck out five.
“Josh was in total control in game two,” Manriquez said. “You hate to see a kid lose a game like that. He threw phenomenal.”
The one walk Oglesby allowed against Wilmot hurt the Elks in extra innings.
Wilmot’s Cameron Loveless drew a walk to lead off the eighth inning. Loveless stole second, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field.
“Our right fielder had no chance to make a play at the plate,” Manriquez said. “It was that deep.”
The Elks allowed Wilmot two runs in the first inning of the second game.
“We just had a difficult time running our bunt coverage, and that’s what gave up the two runs,” Manriquez said.
Elkhorn’s Cody Johnson and Dane Peterson each drove in a run in the second game.
The Elks tied the first game in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run double from Dakota Tilton. Tilton took third on the throw home, and the inning ended with Tilton stranded on third after a failed suicide squeeze attempt.
The Panthers scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead.
Elkhorn’s Matt Ambelang, Jon Wulff and Tilton finished the first game with two hits each.
“Joe threw okay, as you look at his numbers and his stuff, but he wasn’t great by any means,” Manriquez said.
Elks pitcher Joe Konopski allowed eight hits and five earned runs over six innings. Konopski struck out five.
The Elks played Milwaukee Hamilton Monday and Williams Bay Wednesday in non-conference games at home. The Elks play Big Foot today in a non-conference game at Walworth.
