On Thursday, May 7, the Belleville baseball team defeated Poynette 8-5.

“After a shaky first inning, the Wildcats settled in and played some of their best baseball of the season both offensively and defensively,” said Head Coach Jon Benash. “After a first inning that the Cats saw a total of four pitches, the game plan became simple: be more patient, see some pitches, and hammer the pitches you can handle! The Wildcats responded scoring all eight runs in the next three innings of play.”

On the mound for the first six innings was Shrader who got the win for Belleville. He gave up five hits and five runs – all of them earned – while walking five and striking out none. Gorski pitched the last inning earning the save; he struck out two.

Offensively, the bats were on fire for the Wildcats. NcNamar was two for four with two RBI and one run; Zimmerman was one for four with a RBI and a run; Gorski was two for four with a RBI and a run; Hoffman was two for four with a RBI, a run, and a double; Hackman was one for three with a RBI and a run; Schwoegler was one for two with a RBI and two runs; and DeShon was one for two with a RBI.

“It was a collective effort, and that’s what it takes to get wins in this game. We don’t have that superstar that’s going to put us on his back and carry us, so we have to rely on one another to make key plays and get key hits when those opportunities present themselves,” Benash explained.

Earlier that week on Monday, the Wildcats narrowly missed a victory falling a few runs short against Parkview, 5-3.

McNamar was one for four with a run; Zimmerman was two for four with a run, a RBI, and a triple; Gorski was two for four with a RBI; Hoffman was one for three; Bowers was one for three; and DeShon was one for two with a run and a double.

McMillan hurled the ball for five innings and an out where he gave up five runs and five hits – three were earned; he also walked five and struck out four.

Schwoegler pitched the last two outs, giving up one hit.

“Despite out-hitting the Vikings on Monday night, the Wildcats fell just short in this one, losing a well-played game….The defense had a couple of critical errors that led to two unearned runs. Other than that, the Wildcats defense did what they needed to behind another solid pitching performance from both McMillan and Schwoegler,” stated Benash.