Union Grove rallies past Elkhorn 7-5 in eight innings
Union Grove erased a four-run deficit and pushed across two runs in the top of the eighth inning Thursday to beat Elkhorn 7-5 in a Southern Lakes Conference game at Elkhorn Area High School. The decisive moment came with the score tied 5-5 in the eighth, when Williams lined a single that brought home two runs and gave the Broncos their first lead of the day.
The Broncos struck first in the opening inning. Cooper Dye delivered an RBI single to put Union Grove ahead 1-0, but Elkhorn answered in the bottom half when Beckstrand doubled down the right-field line to tie it at 1. Elkhorn built its cushion in the fourth. Morales singled home two runs to break the tie, and a groundout by Brazer added another run for a 4-1 advantage.
Union Grove spent the late innings chipping away before finally drawing even in the seventh. The Broncos scored on an Elkhorn error, then got a run home on a walk to Reesman. Evan Northup followed with a sacrifice fly, and Schmitz added a run-producing groundout as Union Grove pulled even at 5-5 and set the stage for the extra-inning breakthrough.
Williams helped drive the comeback from the middle of the order, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Dye, Tucker Katterhagen and Williams each collected two hits for Union Grove. The Broncos also showed patience throughout the game, drawing six walks. Williams led the team with two free passes.
Union Grove pieced the win together on the mound. Jayden King started and worked four innings, allowing eight hits and four runs, two earned, while striking out eight without a walk. Jude Rogowski provided relief before Katterhagen closed it out and earned the win. In one inning, Katterhagen did not allow a hit or a run, struck out three and walked two. Jensen took the loss for Elkhorn after giving up two runs on three hits in one inning. Elkhorn starter Lysaght held Union Grove to one run on two hits over four innings, striking out five and walking two.
Elkhorn finished with 13 hits, but Union Grove delivered the timely swings late to complete the comeback. The Broncos are scheduled to return to action Saturday at Muskego.
