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Green Bay, WI - The Beavers took a weekend off from league play and headed north to Green Bay for a doubleheader challenge against one of the most talented teams in the state. The Blue Ribbons compete in the Wisconsin State League, widely regarded as one of the premier semi-professional baseball leagues in the Midwest. Historic Joannes Stadium was buzzing with a lively crowd as Green Bay celebrated their Opening Day.
Milwaukee jumped ahead immediately with a three-run first inning. Zach Schneider walked, Carlos Walta singled, and starting pitcher Joel Grunert ripped an RBI single to put the Beavers ahead 1-0. Milwaukee continued to put pressure on the defense and capitalized on two Green Bay errors to build an early 3-0 cushion.
The Beavers’ defense came up big in the bottom of the first to support Grunert, a first-year player making his first start on the mound for Milwaukee. After a hit batter and a single put runners aboard, Jalani Hundall turned a smooth unassisted 4-3 double play and Walta tracked down a deep drive in the gap to keep the Blue Ribbons off the scoreboard.
Green Bay began to chip away with single runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. Jerome Pawlak knocked in the Beavers fourth run with a bases-loaded liner to center field that dropped in for a hit, though the play was scored a fielder's choice after Tarnowski was tagged out attempting to advance to third.
Holding a 4-3 lead in the top of the 5th, veteran Justin Barkhurst reached on a hit-by-pitch and rookie catcher TJ Tarnowski followed w/ a single. Hudnall then stepped to the plate and launched the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for a three-run homer, extending the lead to 7-3.
The Beavers added insurance in the seventh. Hudnall and Pawlak each delivered RBI singles, while Schneider added a sacrifice fly to push the advantage to 10-3.
Grunert went the distance in the seven-inning contest to earn Milwaukee's first win of the young season. He allowed five hits, struck out three, and walked four. The defense backed him with two double plays and a flawless effort in the field. Hudnall led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs, while Walta finished 2-for-4.
In Game 2, the defense lost some of its shine as a couple of errors helped Green Bay grab its first lead of the day. Game 1 standout Jalani Hudnall was a late scratch due to a family emergency, leaving an already thin Beavers road-trip roster even shorter.
On the mound, Brady Schulze was solid in his first start of the season, tossing five innings while allowing three earned runs. The offense sputtered against Green Bay pitching in the nightcap, collecting two hits and four walks.
Despite the 6-0 loss, Milwaukee still outscored the State League title-contender 10-9 on the day with just 11 players.
Watch the games on youtube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-92HpopweZY&t=6438s
The Beavers return to Land O’ Lakes League action this weekend with a pair of home games. On Friday night, division foes West Bend Spirits will visit Joecks Memorial Field. On Sunday, the Monches Irish come to town.
See you at the ballpark!
