Union Grove pulls away with eight-run fifth to beat Wisconsin Lutheran 11-1
Union Grove broke open a tight game with an eight-run fifth inning and rolled past Wisconsin Lutheran 11-1 on Wednesday at Union Grove High School in Union Grove.
The Broncos took the lead in the third inning when Cooper Dye delivered an RBI single, one of his three hits in a 3-for-4 day. Dye added singles in the fifth and sixth and helped set the tone for an offense that finished with 10 hits and six walks. Union Grove also showed patience throughout the lineup, with Quinton Schmitz drawing a team-high three walks.
The decisive stretch came in the fifth, when Union Grove sent a wave of runners across the plate to turn a close game into a runaway. Griffin Williams sparked the rally with a two-run triple. Dye followed with another run-scoring single, and the Broncos kept pressure on Wisconsin Lutheran with productive plate appearances the rest of the inning. Charlie reached on a fielder's choice that brought home a run after Colton Meier induced the ball in play, while Colt Danielson and Drew Dinauer each drew bases-loaded walks. Tucker Katterhagen capped the inning with a two-run single as Union Grove piled up eight runs.
On the mound, Kevin Brau set the tone for the Broncos. The starter worked four scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out four and walking one to earn the win. Christian Reisenauer added a scoreless inning in relief, giving up no hits and one walk. Union Grove's defense backed the pitching staff throughout the afternoon, turning three double plays.
Union Grove got multiple-hit games from Dye, Drew Dinauer and Luke Drummond, while Tucker Katterhagen, Cooper Dye and Williams each drove in two runs. Wisconsin Lutheran got two hits apiece from Brayden Abramowski and Carter Fry, who hit back-to-back in the lineup, and the Vikings turned one double play. Wisconsin Lutheran starter Eli Dreier struck out six over 4 1-3 innings, but Union Grove's fifth-inning surge proved too much to overcome.
The Broncos will stay home for their next game Tuesday against Westosha Central.
