Gresham baseball team wins thriller over Bowler

The Gresham Community School baseball team blew a lead in the top of the seventh inning, only to plate the winning run in the bottom of the frame to earn a 6-5 win over Bowler in Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division action May 25 in Gresham.

Gresham led 5-2 heading to the seventh inning. Jack Haffner started the inning on the mound before Belasaire Vele came on. Corbin Welch was the pitcher that was able to get the final three outs, with a diving catch by shortstop Austin Sperberg in shallow centerfield ending the inning and stranding the bases loaded.

Wesley Thiex opened the bottom of the seventh inning by drawing a walk against Bowler starting pitcher Logan Thiex. Logan Thiex was then replaced by Beau Brunner after hitting the pitch count limit.

Weston Shick drew a walk before Sperberg laid down a bunt to move both Wesley Thiex and Shick up a base.

After an intentional walk to Lukas Pecore, Vele came through in the clutch for the Wildcats. Vele hit a slow grounder to the right side of the infield, and Thiex was able to beat the throw home to give Gresham a thrilling win.

“I just went up there like it was a normal at-bat, no pressure, and made some contact,” said Vele.

Welch earned the win on the mound, but it was Pecore, the team’s starting pitcher, that put the team in a great position to win. Pecore pitched the first 5 1/3 innings before reaching the pitch count limit. He struck out seven batters and allowed just two runs.

Sperberg and Vele each scored two runs for the Wildcats, while Welch scored the other run.

Logan Thiex was dealt the loss on the mound, but only allowed two earned runs after four Bowler errors. He struck out eight batters.

Logan Thiex, Ashwuut Mohawk, Wylee Dodge, Tully Kroening and Brunner all drove in a run for the Panthers. Lane Schultz and Logan Thiex each scored twice. Schultz also stole three bases.

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