Middleton rallies past Union Grove 5-4 despite late Broncos push
Middleton used a four-run swing through the first three innings, then held off a late Union Grove rally to hand the Broncos a 5-4 loss Saturday at Middleton High School.
The decisive stretch came in the bottom of the third inning. After Union Grove had moved in front 3-1 in the top half, Middleton answered to reclaim control. A fielder's choice off the bat of Faessler brought home one run, and Koeller followed with a groundout that produced two more, giving the Cardinals a 4-3 lead. Middleton added another run later and made that edge stand up when Kalscheuer closed out the save.
Union Grove briefly seized momentum in the third. Cooper Dye drove in a run on a groundout, and Tucker Katterhagen delivered the Broncos' biggest hit of the afternoon with a two-run double that pushed Union Grove ahead by two. Katterhagen, batting in the No. 3 spot, finished with two RBIs. The Broncos stayed within striking distance the rest of the way, and Reesman's solo home run to left field in the top of the seventh trimmed the deficit to a single run.
Reesman also led Union Grove at the plate, going 2-for-3 from the No. 7 spot in the lineup. The Broncos managed just three runs over the first six innings against Middleton's pitching before the seventh-inning homer gave them one last chance. Middleton starter Gebhard earned the win, allowing three hits and three runs over three innings while walking one. Kalscheuer recorded the save.
Kevin Brau took the loss for Union Grove after working three innings. He allowed four runs, none earned, on two hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Middleton put pressure on the bases throughout the game, stealing four bags. Vogt finished 2-for-3 and stole two bases, while Faessler, Vogt and Passaglia each drove in a run. Passaglia also opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single.
Middleton was clean defensively, finishing without an error, and Passaglia handled 10 chances in the field. For Union Grove, the one-run finish showed how close the Broncos were after falling behind early. The Broncos' next game is scheduled for Tuesday at Waterford Wolverines Varsity.
