Boyceville’s Walker Retz throws no-hitter to shut out Glenwood City
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By Amber Hayden
BOYCEVILLE — Sometimes you just need someone to step up when you’re struggling.
That someone for the Boyceville baseball team was sophomore pitcher Walker Retz.
Retz provided that much needed boost to the Bulldogs on the heels of their loss to Spring Valley when rival Glenwood City came calling to Boyceville last Monday, May 13, for a game that had originally been scheduled to be played in Glenwood City but recent rains had left the Toppers’ field soaked, necessitating the change in venue.
Walker Retz pitched a no-hitter against the Toppers as he struck out 11 batters, eight swinging and three looking, and only walked two in leading Boyceville to an 11-0 blanking of Glenwood City and the regular season sweep of the pair’s two-game series.
“He (Retz) was dominant throughout the game,” Bulldogs head coach Michael Roemhild said. “Facing a maximum of four batters in an inning, his fastball really had some pop to it. The few batters that did put the bat on the ball we were able to make the plays for him.”
Retz’ Glenwood City counterpart Gavin Janson did not fare as well. Janson started things on the mound for the Toppers and went four and one-third innings where he gave up 14 hits and 10 earned runs to the Bulldogs.
Freshmen Ira Bialzik led Boyceville’s hit parade with three hits in his three at bats including a double and an RBI. Bialzik also scored twice.
In the third inning, Bialzik and Jacob Granley got things started for the Bulldogs as they both hit ground balls to left field. The two freshmen were followed by Jaden Reisimer who bunted and loaded the bases for Walker Retz who hit a single to score two.
Walker Retz was two-of-three at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs while Reisimer finished with three hits in his four at bats and had an RBI and run scored.
“Offensively we really did a nice job hitting, it took us until the third inning,” said coach Roemhild. “But after that everyone looked confident at the plate.”
Trett Joles, who posted a pair of hits including a double, singled in the third inning as well and scored after Trevor Hollister hit a sacrifice fly as Boyceville posted five runs on Glenwood City in that inning.
The Bulldogs tacked on five more scores in the fifth inning which began much like the third as Walker Retz hit a single into center field and scored on a double by Trett Joles.
Brendan Sempf added a pair of RBIs on a triple.
Logan Knudtson was the last to score for the Bulldogs when Ira Bialzik doubled to left field.
Janson and Bryce Fayerweather were the only two Hilltoppers to reach base in Monday’s game at Evenson Field. Both made it on after drawing walks.
Retz’ no-hit, shut out win propelled the Bulldogs to an unbeaten week as they earned three more shut out victories over Elk Mound, Prairie Farm and Elmwood/Plum City. Boyceville closed out the conference and regular season hosting Colfax this past Monday. The Bulldogs earned a top seed in the WIAA Division 3 tournament and a first-round bye. Boyceville will host the winner of Durand (#5) and Elk Mound (#4) game next Tuesday in a regional semifinal contest.
The Hilltoppers, who were also shut out 11-0 the next day (Tuesday, May 14) against Mondovi finished out their season this past Monday, May 14 with a doubleheader in Elk Mound. Glenwood City (#7) will open the WIAA Division 3 playoffs this Thursday, May 23 at second-seeded Eau Claire Regis with the winner playing either Prescott (#3) or Colfax (#6) next Tuesday.
GLENWOOD CITY 0, BOYCEVILLE 11
Glenwood City.….………………0 0 0 0 0 – 0
Boyceville….….….……………..0 0 5 1 5 – 11
Glenwood City (0) AB-H-R: Gavin Janson 1-0-0, Brady McCarthy 2-0-0, Bryce Fayerweather 1-0-0, Dan Loring 2-0-0, Tanner Davis 2-0-0, Brandyn Hallquist 2-0-0, Bryce Wickman 2-0-0, Drew Olson 2-0-0, Cole Logghe 1-0-0. Total 15-0-0.
Boyceville (11) AB-H-R: Brendan Sempf 3-1-1, Trett Joles 3-2-2, Walker Retz 3-2-2, Trevor Hollister 2-1-1, Connor Sempf 3-0-0, Jaden Reisimer 4-3-1, Jacob Granley 2-1-1, Logan Knudtson 2-1-1, Ira Bialzik 3-3-2. Total 25-14-11.
Pitching: Glenwood City — Gavin Janson 4 1/3 IP, 14 H, 1 K, 2 BB, 11 R (10 earned); Boyceville — Walker Retz 5 IP 0 H, 11 K, 2 BB, 0 R.