Memorable rides comes to an end: Panthers earned first state win since 2009

By Mike Ramczyk/Sports Editor

The Wilmot baseball team’s season may have ended last week at the state tournament, but head coach Josh Pye said it was a fun ride.

“We went out with a bad loss, but it doesn’t take away from what we did this year,” he said. “We played great baseball all season. We won big playoff games over Tremper, Park and Indian Trail. Guys played really well.”

On June 17 at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, the Panthers, who were coming off a 2-1 victory over Middleton just five hours earlier, faced Kimberly in a WIAA Division 1 state semifinal.

In the victory over Middleton, Wilmot’s first state win since 2009 when it lost in the championship game by one run, ace pitcher Alec Haluzak went the distance and protected an early 2-0 lead.

It was warm and muggy for the night cap, which saw Austin Brewer take the hill. The Panthers won game one around 3 p.m. and took a brief break at the hotel before hustling back to the stadium for batting practice.

The 8:30 start was a quick turnaround, and it didn’t take long for Kimberly to jump on Brewer.

Brewer allowed three walks in the first inning, and Kimberly took a 4-0 lead after one.

Scott Schreiber shut down the Wilmot offense after that, allowing only two hits and striking out eight.

But the Panthers didn’t go away. Wilmot cut the lead to 5-1 in the fourth thanks to a James Alexander sacrifice fly. The deep pop out scored Evan Ketterhagen, who led off the inning with a double.

But the comeback hopes were short-lived, as Kimberly erupted for five runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to secure a 15-1 victory.

“It was a very talented Kimberly team,” Pye said. “We had five counted errors, but we had more than that. We gave up seven walks. It was hard knowing we hadn’t played like that all year.”

“Schreiber is one of the best pitchers in the state. He challenged our guys with a good fastball.”

Wilmot finished the season 23-4 and was the outright Southern Lakes Conference champion.

Haluzak, Garrett Bogucki, Ketterhagen and Cam Loveless all earned first team all-SLC honors.

Bogucki was named the athlete of the year.

A vocal catcher who converted from the outfield two years ago, Bogucki hit .412 with a .588 slugging percentage and 23 RBIs. He was also named second team all-state.

“Garrett is always talking,” Pye joked. “He brings out the best in others. He is a natural leader, and he is the best I’ve seen at taking charge on the field. He really understands the game. He has fun out there.”

Bogucki will play college baseball at Madison Edgewood next year.

 

Wilmot 2, Middleton 1

Against Middleton, Dustin McFarlane got things started on the right foot with some fireworks.

He blasted a solo home run to left field to give Wilmot a 1-0 lead in the second. In the third, Bogucki singled in Loveless to make it a 2-0 lead. Ketterhagen sacrificed Loveless into scoring position.

That was all Haluzak needed.

After allowing runners to reach second and third in both the fifth and sixth innings but getting out of it, the junior hurler retired Middleton 1-2-3 to close the game.

“Alec completing the game was huge,” Pye said.

Haluzak scattered seven hits and struck out four while walking two.

Bogucki led the way with a 2-for-3 performance.

Alexander, John Cashin and Kyle Nixon each added hits.

“We earned our runs,” Pye said. “It was a nice team win.”

 


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