West Bend East had lost nine straight on the road dating back to last season, but on Friday they dropped their record down to 3-13 to make it ten. They lost 9-2 to the Homestead Highlanders. The Suns were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Highlanders earlier this season, when they won 9-3.
West Bend East saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Nathan Belfield, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
As for Homestead, their record is now 4-12. Their hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
On Homestead's side, Charlie Blume made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Blume is becoming a predictor of Homestead's success: when he allows at most one hit the team is 3-1 (and 1-11 when he doesn't). Blume was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Lucas Wirth tossed a big game, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Homestead is 4-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 0-11 otherwise.
Back at the plate, Ari Crabbe and Connor Pangallo did most of the damage at the plate: Crabbe went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run, while Pangallo got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Those two hits gave Crabbe a new career-high. Joe Simon also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
Looking ahead, West Bend East will face off against Ripon at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The Suns are facing the Tigers at the right time seeing as the Tigers are stuck on a nine-game losing streak. As for Homestead, they will challenge Germantown at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. The Warhawks' pitching crew has only allowed 2.4 runs per game this season, so the Highlanders' hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
