Bonduel ends summer on high note

Bonduel used the strong pitching efforts of Jack Johnson and Reece Stoltenow and some timely hitting to earn a season-ending 4-2 win over Amherst on Thursday in Bonduel.

The tight win capped the high school careers of five seniors, who were recognized before the game. Class of 2020 players Noah Beilfuss, Dylan Burch, Logan Guenterberg and Kyle Hanus all attended Bonduel, while Isaac Boldt graduated from Pulaski.

“To get to ride one last time, one last season with this team, it means the world to me,” said Beilfuss. “I can’t thank coach (Mark Margelofsky) and these guys enough for being a part of my life. No matter where life takes me, no matter where life takes them, they are always going to have a place in my heart.”

After Johnson stranded a pair of Amherst runners in the top of the first inning, Bonduel looked like it was headed toward a big inning in the bottom half.

Carson Robaidek opened the frame with an infield single before Garrett Engel and Boldt each walked. Beilfuss then reached on an error, which plated Robaidek. Amherst avoided more trouble by turning a double play and getting a strikeout.

After a scoreless second, Amherst tallied an unearned run in the third to tie it up. Bonduel answered with its final three runs in the bottom of the third, with the top of the order again leading the charge.

Robaidek walked before Engel singled — both players moved up a base after an error in the outfield. Boldt then walked to load the bases. Beilfuss followed with a RBI single to score Robaidek.

Back-to-back strikeouts made it appear that the hosts were going to let another golden opportunity to open up the game slip away, but Brett Margelofsky was able to flip the script.

Margelofsky got down in the count, but was eventually able to work a full count. Margelofsky then connected on a single to score Engel and Boldt.

“Once I get down two strikes, I choke up a little on the bat and it just helps me get my swing through quicker. It seems to really have been helping me,” said Margelofsky.

“I think I started out 0-2, then worked three balls and then just got a nice pitch to hit into right-center.”

From there, Johnson and Stoltenow were able to hold Amherst in check.

Amherst scored another unearned run in the fourth off Johnson, but the lefty got a strikeout to end the threat. Amherst had three runners reach in the fifth, but Bonduel cut down a potential run at the plate before Stoltenow induced a inning-ending flyout.

Two runners reached against Stoltenow in the sixth, including one after a dropped strikeout, but again the righty got a flyout to end the threat.

Stoltenow worked around a one-out walk in the seventh, striking out the game’s final two batters.

Stoltenow picked up the save after recording five strikeouts over the final 2 2/3 innings. Johnson got the win after working 4 1/3 innings and striking out eight.

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