Loyal baseball stymies Greenwood twice last week

By Harry Toufar After achieving wins against Ironwood (13-0), Cameron (9-3), and Prentice (11-0) to start the season, the Loyal High School baseball team continued its winning ways by defeating Greenwood twice last week.

On Tuesday the 15th, Rhett Lamovec and Andy Petkovsek combined to toss a no-hitter on a windy day in Loyal. Lamovec picked up the win, pitching the first three innings, striking out three. Petkovsek threw the last two innings, striking out three batters as well. They allowed only two at-bats over the limit.

Loyal was the beneficiary of a Greenwood pitching staff that gave up nine walks and hit five batters. Their defense also committed three errors in the field. Though Loyal only managed six hits, they were well placed. In the first inning, Colten Sandelier drove in two runs with a single. Later in the inning, Jonah Vircks plated two runs with a scorching double.

The Greyhounds continued their timely hitting in the second inning. Adam Kautzer led off the inning being hit by a pitch. He scored on a Cain Toufar double. After two more walks, Hunter Walter doubled, scoring two more runs. Walter scored on a fielder’s choice by Tryn Scheel. Another walk and a fielding error brought up Rogan Ashbeck, who drilled a double, scoring a run.Another run came in as Kautzer hit into a fielder’s choice.

In the third inning, two more errors and a hit batter loaded the bases. Vircks walked to bring in a run. Petkovsek hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in another run.

The fourth inning mirrored the third, as the Greenwood pitcher walked two and hit one. Scheel singled to drive in the last two runs of the game. The game ended via the run rule, as the Greyhounds coasted to a 15-0 win.

In the famous words of Yogi Berra, the hall of fame catcher of the NewYorkYankees, “It was deja vu all over again” on Thursday. Greenwood pitching continued to struggle, as they issued six walks and hit two batters. They did record seven strikeouts. Greenwood bats did come alive somewhat, as Chaz Nitz had a double with Hayden Rakovec and Nick Fetterkind recording singles.

Loyal pitching continued to shine on the mound, with Toufar throwing three innings, giving up three hits and striking out six. Ashbeck pitched the fourth inning, striking out the side and issuing one walk. Sandelier pitched the final inning with two easy ground ball outs and a strikeout.

As it was on Tuesday, the 10-run rule came into play, with the Greyhounds earning another 15-0 shutout.

Lamovec led the Hounds in hitting, as he went 3-4 with a home run and double, driving in four runs. Scheel went 1-2 with a two-run homer. Walter was 2-3, with a double and driving in three runs. Toufar was 2-2 with two runs driven in. Kautzer was 1-2 with two runs driven in.

Loyal is scheduled to host Wisconsin Rapids Assumption this Friday at 5 p.m.

Greenwood outfielders bring the ball in after a successful hit by one of Loyal’s batters during their game played on April 17. Greenwood lost both this game and a game played against Loyal two days prior 15-0. The Indians are 0-3 to start this season, tied at the bottom of the conference with Thorp/Owen-Withee. The team is scheduled to play Thorp/Owen-Withee at home on May 13.

CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTO