Union Grove breaks open tie game with five-run sixth to beat Elkhorn 8-3
UNION GROVE, Wis. - Union Grove broke a tie with a five-run bottom of the sixth Monday and pulled away for an 8-3 victory over Elkhorn in a Southern Lakes Conference game at Union Grove High School.
The decisive inning came after Elkhorn had just drawn even at 3-3 on Beckstrand’s home run to right field in the top of the sixth. The Broncos answered immediately. Union Grove piled up five runs on four hits in the bottom half, turning the game for good. The biggest swing of the inning came from Williams, who doubled to drive in two runs and put the Broncos in command.
Dominic Pascucci led Union Grove at the plate, going 3 for 3. He tripled in the third inning, singled in the fifth and doubled in the sixth, reaching base each time he came up. Tucker Katterhagen helped set the tone early, singling home a run in the first inning to give the Broncos the game’s first lead. Union Grove added two more runs in the third, one after Elkhorn dropped a third strike and another when Katterhagen grounded out. Katterhagen, Pascucci and Williams each finished with two RBIs.
Evan Northup started for Union Grove and worked five innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking one. After Elkhorn rallied to tie the game, the Broncos turned to the bullpen. Luke Drummond appeared in relief, and Jude Rogowski earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Rogowski allowed two hits, struck out two and walked one.
Elkhorn starter Beckstrand took the loss after going 5 1/3 innings. He allowed eight runs, six earned, on six hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Beckstrand also supplied Elkhorn’s biggest offensive moment with the game-tying homer in the sixth, but Union Grove’s response in the bottom half quickly erased it.
The win sends the Broncos into their next game Wednesday at Antioch, after Union Grove used timely hitting and a late surge to secure the conference victory.
