Post 9 Rangers split with Viroqua, sweep Kenosha

For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Post 9 Wisconsin Rapids American Legion Rangers baseball team split a doubleheader with Viroqua on June 8, before moving on to sweep Kenosha.

The Rangers took on Viroqua in Wisconsin Rapids at Witter Field on June 9.In game one, both teams were strong on the mound, but Viroqua was just a little stronger at the plate. Caleb Krommenakker started the game for Post 9 Rangers 18U and recorded 12 outs.

Post 9 Rangers 18U got things started in the second inning when Kimo Ferreira's sac fly scored one run for Post 9 Rangers 18U.

Viroqua’s Aaron Huebsch went six and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six. Hunter Vikemyr threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen. Vikemyr recorded the last out to earn the save for Viroqua.

Krommenakker took the loss for Post 9 Rangers 18U. He went four innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out two.

Donovan Brandl went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Post 9 Rangers 18U in hits.

Viroqua was sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Evan Hubatch had the most chances in the field with seven.

In game two, the Rangers snagged a late lead and defeated Viroqua 8-5. The game was tied at two with the Rangers batting in the bottom of the fifth, when Donovan Brandl doubled on a 3-1 count, scoring two runs.

Brandl went 4-for-4 at the plate; he doubled in the first, third, fifth, and sixth.

Post 9 got on the board in the first inning, as Brandl drove in one when he doubled.

Ethan Peters got the start for Post 9, surrendering one run on two hits over four innings, striking out three. Dawson Swenson was on the hill for Viroqua, allowing eight hits and seven runs over four innings, striking out one. Griffin Olson threw two innings in relief.

The Rangers 18U tallied 11 hits in the game. Brandl, Jake Wipfli, and Cody Bredl each managed multiple hits. Brandl went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits.

Viroqua scattered eight hits in the game. Ryan Zemki and Mason Skrede all collected multiple hits for

Then, the Rangers moved on to face Kenosha on June 9 at JV Field, as Donovan Brandl threw a shutout to lead Post 9 past Kenosha.

Nathan Krommenakker collected four hits in four at bats. Krommenakker singled in the first, tripled in the second, and singled in the fourth.

In the first inning, Post 9 Rangers 18U got their offense started when Josh Zwicke singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

The Rangers notched six runs in the fourth inning, thanks to singles by Gabe Zwicke and Krommenakker, a sac fly by Brandl and Jack Wenzel, and a double by Cody Bredl.

Brandl took the win for Post 9, going five innings, allowing zero runs on one hit, striking out 13 and walking zero.

Post 9 tallied two home runs on the day. Krommenakker had a long ball in the second inning, and Tyler Beyer had a homer in the first inning.

Post 9 Rangers 18U tallied 15 hits. Krommenakker and Garrett Huber each racked up multiple hits. Krommenakker led with four hits in four at bats.

The Rangers didn't commit a single error in the field.

In game two of the June 9 doubleheader, the Rangers put up 12 runs in the third on the way to a 19-2 victory over Kenosha.

The big inning was due to singles by Kimo Ferreira, Jake Wipfli, Ethan Peters, Nathan Krommenakker, and Caleb Krommenakker, walks by Ferreira and Wipfli, and Jack Wenzel.

Post 9 Rangers 18U fired up the offense in the first inning, when Tyler Beyer singled on a 0-2 count, scoring two runs.

Post 9 Rangers 18U put up 12 runs in the third inning. Wenzel, Ferreira, Wipfli, Peters, Krommenakker, and Krommenakker each drove in runs during the inning.

Krommenakker got the win for Post 9 Rangers 18U. He allowed zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out five and walking zero. Matt Swisher threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Conner Bousson was on the mound for Kenosha. He surrendered 16 runs on 11 hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out four. Brad Jankowski threw one and one-third innings in relief.

Post 9 racked up 15 hits on the day. Krommenakker, Ferreira, Gabe Zwicke, and Beyer all collected multiple hits for Post 9 Rangers 18U. Ferreira and Krommenakker each managed three hits to lead the Rangers.