Sheboygan Area Lutheran is 0-5 against Manitowoc Lutheran since May of 2019 but things could change on Wednesday. The Crusaders are taking a road trip to take on the Lancers at 4:30 p.m. Sheboygan Area Lutheran has given up an average of 8.5 runs per game this season, but Wednesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Sheboygan Area Lutheran is headed into Wednesday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their seventh straight game dating back to last season on Tuesday. They took an 11-7 hit to the loss column at the hands of Ozaukee. On the bright side, the seven- run effort marked the Crusaders' highest-scoring contest to date.
Roman Schultz put in work while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed five innings while giving up four earned runs off only two hits. Schultz was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Schultz wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kole Klapperich, who scored two runs while going 2-for-2.
Meanwhile, Manitowoc Lutheran was not the first on the board on Tuesday, but they got there more often. They came out on top against Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah by a score of 6-3. The Lancers haven't had any issues with the Resorters recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive victory against them.
Like Sheboygan Area Lutheran, Manitowoc Lutheran also got a great game from a two-way player: Derek Laabs. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. That's the most strikeouts Laabs has posted since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last four games he's played dating back to last season.
Manitowoc Lutheran was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .469. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah only posted a batting average of .200.
Sheboygan Area Lutheran's loss dropped their record down to 0-6. As for Manitowoc Lutheran, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Sheboygan Area Lutheran has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Manitowoc Lutheran struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Sheboygan Area Lutheran suffered a grim 6-0 defeat to Manitowoc Lutheran in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Crusaders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
