Prairie du Chien splits twinbill at Viroqua
The Hoppers’ Chase Fisher pitches versus host Viroqua Monday evening. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Prairie du Chien shortstop Jon Nicholson fields a grounder and fires to first base for the out against Viroqua Monday. Nicholson has been named to the Wisconsin American Legion All Star Team and will play as a member of the All Star Stripes Team against the All Star Stars Team at American Family Field following the Milwaukee Brewers versus San Francisco Giants game on Aug. 8.
Prairie du Chien split a twinbill against host Viroqua in American Legion 19U baseball action Monday.
Opener
Prairie du Chien watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in an 8-2 loss to Viroqua in the opening game.
Viroqua scored on a double by C. Kowalzyk, a single by Evan Hubatch, and a fielder’s choice by Clayton Slack in the second inning.
The Hoppers struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Viroqua.
Viroqua got things started in the second inning when Kowalzyk doubled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run.
Kowalzyk led things off on the pitcher’s mound for Viroqua. The bulldog surrendered two runs on two hits over six and two-thirds innings, striking out six.
Caeleb Cipra led things off on the mound for Prairie du Chien. The pitcher went three innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and striking out three. Chase Fisher threw three innings out of the bullpen.
Jon Nicholson and Colton Thompson each managed one hit to lead Prairie du Chien.
Viroqua collected 11 hits. B. Fergot, Slack, and N. Mathison each collected multiple hits for Viroqua. Fergot led Viroqua with three hits in three at bats.
Nightcap
The Prairie du Chien Hoppers stole the lead late and defeated Viroqua 4-3 in the nightcap.
The game was tied at three with Prairie du Chien batting in the top of the fifth when a sacrifice bunt by Colton Thompson scored one run for the Hoppers.
Viroqua scored three runs in the fourth inning, but Prairie du Chien still managed to pull out the victory. The big inning for Viroqua came thanks to a single by E. Solberg and an error on a ball put in play by B. Lendosky.
The Hoppers got things started in the first inning when Conner Smith singled on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs.
Viroqua knotted the game up at three in the bottom of the fourth inning, when an error scored one run for Viroqua.
Tommy Mara led things off on the mound for Prairie du Chien. The righty lasted four innings, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out one.
A. McDowell started the game for Viroqua. The pitcher lasted five innings, allowing three hits and four runs while walking one.
Smith, Jon Nicholson, and Maddox Cejka each collected one hit to lead the Hoppers.
Solberg went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Viroqua.
