Early runs lead Bulldogs to baseball win over Hilltoppers
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STEALING SECOND — Boyceville’s Logan Knudtson successfully stole second base when the Bulldogs hosted Glenwood City last Tuesday, April 23 in a conference baseball game. The Toppers Bryce Wickman (center) fielded the wide threw on the play while teammated Gavin Janson (left) backed up the toss. Boyceville went on to win the game 10-2. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
By Amber Hayden
BOYCEVILLE — Boyceville made the most of its opportunities when Glenwood City came calling at Evenson Field in last Tuesday’s Dunn-St. Croix baseball showdown.
Despite collecting just two more hits than the Hilltoppers (10 to 8), the Bulldogs scored seven runs in the first two innings of the rivalry contest including five in the second frame that propelled them to a 10-2 victory over their visitors.
The win maintained Boyceville’s unblemished conference as it improved to 5-0. Glenwood City, meanwhile, slipped to 1-4.
“Offensively, I thought we did okay running the bases and hitting,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Michael Roemhild. “There is a lot of room for improvement, but we got out of there with ten runs, ten hits and five stolen bases.”
Connor Sempf started out on the mound and went a full three innings to get the win for the Bulldogs. Sempf was near perfect with five strikeouts and just a single walk. He also went one-of-four from the plate with a two-RBI double to his credit.
Walker Retz and Brady Nye relieved Sempf. Retz surrendered a pair of hits and both of the Hilltoppers’ runs in the fourth inning. Nye finished out the seven-inning contest for Boyceville by throwing three scoreless innings with four hits and a walk surrendered and two strike outs.
“The one thing I really like about our pitchers this year is that they are not giving up a lot of free bases by walking people,” Roemhild said.
AFTERING fielding a ground ball, Glenwood City senior third baseman Tanner Davis fired the ball to first to get the put out during the Hilltoppers road baseball game in Boyceville lat Tuesday, April 23. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
Glenwood City starting pitcher Gavin Janson had a tough two innings of work. He gave up seven runs, five of which were earned, on five hits. Janson struck out two batters and gave up a pair of walks. He also went two-for-four from the plate.
Senior Hadin DeSmith threw the final four innings for Glenwood City and gave up five hits, three walks and three runs, two of which were earned, he also struck out two.
Eight different players scored runs for Boyceville as Walker Retz and Trevor Hollister scored twice against Glenwood City. Retz and Walkers also had two hits for the Bulldogs as did Jaden Reisimer and Brenden Sempf, who also doubled.
Besides Janson, Hadin DeSmith and Brady McCarthy were also able to go two-of-four hitting against the Bulldogs’ pitching. Bryce Fayerweather and Thomas Moede each had a single for Glenwood City, but the lack of consistent baserunners made it difficult for the Hilltoppers to score.
Glenwood City’s two scores came in the fourth on runs by Thomas Moede and Mitchell Bliese.
Behind the plate, Trett Joles made some nice throws to put out GC runners that tested his abilities Tuesday evening. Joles also had one run and an RBI in his three at bats.
“Our bats are coming around game by game,” said Roemhild. “We still haven’t had that complete game on offense or defense where you can sit there and go wow that was fun to watch.”
Bulldogs freshmen Jacob Granley made a diving catch in left field to nab an out and also scored one run after being walked on base.
“We have had moments or a couple innings, but not the complete game yet,” said Roemhild. “I am looking forward to when it all clicks and these guys see what they can really do.”
Boyceville, who blanked Colfax 23-0 last Thursday and split at home with Mondovi 4-7 and 5-0 on Friday, hosted Durand this past Monday, April 29, and will travel to Pepin to take on the Pepin/Alma Eagles this Thursday, May 2. The following day, Friday, May 3, the Bulldogs are in Elk Mound and next Monday, May 6 they travel to Grantsburg to take on the Pirates.
BIG HIT — The Bulldogs’ Brendan Sempf smacked a single to score run during Boyceivlle 10-2 home win over rival Glenwood City last Tuesday, April 23. Brendan Sempf went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
The Hilltoppers also fell 10-4 in Pepin to the Eagles last Friday, April 26 and played a non-conference game in Clayton this past Monday, April 29. Glenwood City will return home on Thursday to take on the Spring Valley Cardinals before welcoming Colfax this Friday, May 3 for a double header. Durand comes to Glenwood City next Monday, May 6.
BOYCEVILLE 10, GLENWOOD CITY 2
Boyceville….….….…..2 5 0 0 2 1 X – 10
Glenwood City.….……0 0 0 2 0 0 0– 2
Boyceville (7) AB-H-R: Brenden Sempf 4-2-1, Trett Joles 3-0-1, Walker Retz 4-2-2, Trevor Hollister 3-2-2, Connor Sempf 4-1-0, Jaden Reisimer 4-2-1, Brady Nye 3-0-0, Erick Loback 1-0-0, Nick Litomsky 0-0-1, Jacob Granley 0-0-1, Logan Knudtson 1-1-1, Bailey Danovsky 1-0-0. Total 28-10-10.
Glenwood City (5) AB-H-R: Gavin Janson 4-2-0, Brady McCarthy 4-2-0, Hadin DeSmith 4-2-0, Bryce Fayerweather 3-1-0, Dan Loring 1-0-0, Thomas Mode 2-1-1, Tanner Davis 2-0-0, Brandyn Hallquist 3-0-0, Bryce Wickman 1-0-0, Drew Olson 1-0-0, Cole Logghe 2-0-0, Mitchell Bliese 0-0-1. Total 27-8-2.
Pitching: Boyceville — Connor Sempf W) 3 IP, 2 H, 5 K, 1 BB, 0 R, Walker Retz 1 IP 2 H, 0 K, 1 BB, 2 R (1 earned), Brady Nye 3 IP, 4 H, 2 K, 1 BB, 0 R; Glenwood City — Gavin Janson (L) 2 IP, 5 H, 2 K, 2 BB, 7 R (5 earned), Hadin DeSmith 4 IP, 5 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 3 R (2 earned).