By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
Merrill Post 46 started the 2016 AA Regional Tournament on a high note last night with a 6-1 victory over Northwoods. Merrill generated eight hits and committed three errors. Merrill was the guest team at Athletic Park, and thus batted first.
After a scoreless first, Merrill took the lead with two runs in the top of the second. Drew Hoff, after stealing second, was batted in by Nick Bowe’s fly to center. Shortly after, Bowe himself was batted in by Trey Seubert’s fly to left.
Northwoods got a run in at the bottom, but Ryan Golisch on the mound was able to shut down the frame.
After scoreless third and fourth innings, Merrill got two more runs in the top of the fifth. Adam Messerschmidt, after advancing to third on defensive indifference, was batted in by Golisch’s hard grounder to left. Right after, Golisch advanced to second on a wild pitch and then ran home after Jared Schmeltzer’s popup was erred.
After a scoreless sixth, Merrill got their final two runs of the game in the top of the seventh. Schmeltzer, after stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch, was batted in by Hoff with a grounder to left. Hoff followed a similar routine to Schmeltzer; after he stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball, he was batted in by Justin Pyan’s fly to center.
Northwoods was unable to get any runs in the bottom, officially ceding victory to Merrill.
Top hitters for Merrill include Hoff (2H, 2R, 1RBI, 1BB, 3SB), Golisch (2H, 1R, 1RBI), Schmeltzer (1H, 1R, 1SB, triple), Bowe (1H, 1R, 1RBI, 1BB), Trey Seubert (1H, 1RBI, 1BB, 1SB, double) and Pyan (1H, 1RBI). Golisch pitched an excellent game, striking out 11, walking three, allowing four hits and one earned run.
Top fielders for Merrill include Dan Duginski (11PO), Pyan (4PO), Golisch (2PO, 2A), Schmeltzer (2PO), Bowe (1PO, 2A) and Ty Belfiori (1PO).
With this win, Merrill will face off against Antigo tonight (July 21) at 7:30 p.m. Antigo defeated Rhinelander last night with a score of 11-1. Rhinelander will face off against Northwoods at 5 p.m. tonight before the Merrill game.
Stats provided by GameChanger.
