By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
The Lake Geneva American Legion Post 24 16U team won its fifth straight game to start its season 7-2 over Genoa City at Jonas Field at Badger High School on June 13.
“It was another nice win and a good combined effort from our pitching staff, defense, and offense,” Coach Ken Johnson said.
Coleby Curtis, Mason Skrede and Joe Gottinger combined to allow just two hits and two earned runs over seven innings with five strikeouts. Curtis got the win pitching four of those innings with four of the strikeouts. Skrede and Gottinger came on and pitched three innings of shut-out relief.
The offense got seven hits, stole four bases and was aided by 11 walks by Genoa City pitchers. Skrede led the way with three hits including a double, a walk and an RBI. Christian Schulz had two hits including a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Austin Pease got on base three times and scored a run, and Ryan Johnson had a hit and an RBI.
The team had two games postponed last week. Burlington had to reschedule its game because many of its players were still competing with Burlington High School’s state tournament run. Genoa City, which was scheduled to play Post 24 twice last week, had a conflict at its field and could not host a game that night. Both games will be rescheduled.
The 16U team played in the Wood Bat Tournament in LaCrosse over the weekend against Chippewa Falls, Onalaska and Holmen in pool play. Pool champions advanced to play Sunday. Results were not available at press time.
19u split first two
The 19U team split its first two games of the season. Post 24 lost to Waterford 12-0 on June 13 giving up six runs in both the second and fourth innings. Coach Michael Hayes said errors and walks did his team in both times.
Post 24 got seven hits led by Aidan Flannery, who had two singles. Austin Hayes, Grayson Grimsley, Andrew Coletti, Caleb Ganansky, and Ryan Carlson had the other hits.
Post 24 rebounded to defeat the Racine Mudcats 7-1 on June 14. Alex Johnson pitched a complete game giving up just the one earned run and striking out eight. Post 24 led 3-1 in the sixth when Racine got runners on first and second with just one out. Zach Ditzenberger caught a line drive in right field and fired it to second base to double off the runner and end the threat. Post 24 then added on four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away.
Evan Schiltz had two singles and three RBIs. Flannery, Johnson, Isaac Ziervogel, Austin Hayes and Philip Kutsch had the other hits. Post 24 again showed patience at the plate drawing seven walks.
