Wilmot pulls away from Union Grove in 9-4 conference win

Wilmot erased an early Union Grove lead and broke the game open over the middle innings Monday night, handing the Broncos a 9-4 Southern Lakes Conference loss at Union Grove High School.

Union Grove struck first in the bottom of the first, using patient at-bats to manufacture two runs. Schmitz drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the Broncos' first run, and another walk helped push the lead to 2-0. Wilmot answered quickly in the top of the second, when home runs from Dzierzanowski and Pye fueled a three-run inning that flipped the score to 3-2.

The Panthers added on in the third and never gave the lead back. A single by Pappadakis and a double from Kunz helped Wilmot extend its advantage, and the visitors eventually built enough separation to stay in control the rest of the way. Wilmot finished with 10 hits, led by Pappadakis, the No. 7 hitter, who went 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Watson, Pappadakis and McCormick each collected two hits for the Panthers.

Union Grove continued to compete offensively, drawing six walks and getting a team-best two hits from Cooper Dye, who finished 2-for-3. Pina, Dominic Pascucci and Schmitz each drove in a run for the Broncos. Schmitz also reached twice on walks as Union Grove showed discipline at the plate even while trying to chase down Wilmot's lead.

Luke Drummond took the loss for Union Grove after allowing six runs on seven hits over three innings, with three strikeouts and two walks. Reisenauer provided solid relief work, covering four innings and allowing three runs, none earned, on three hits while striking out two and walking three. Hanson earned the win for Wilmot, giving up three hits and four runs, three earned, over 4 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and five walks.

The loss sends Union Grove to a quick turnaround in the series. The Broncos are scheduled to travel to Wilmot for the rematch Thursday.