Grove falls in quarterfinals to Eau Claire Memorial
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
For nearly the entire season, the Union Grove baseball team didn’t have much of a problem scoring runs or winning games, but the Broncos finally ran into their first issue at an unfortunate time.
The Broncos entered the WIAA Division 1 State Quarterfinals scoring 12.4 runs per game, boasted a 25-3 record and ranked sixth in the last Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association state poll
However, on Friday, the Broncos just couldn’t find their offensive rhythm against No. 6 Eau Claire Memorial at Herr-Baker Stadium in Fond du Lac.
Union Grove dropped the state quarterfinal game 5-1 and bowed out of a magical season.
Senior Nick Williams, the Southern Lakes Conference player of the year, acknowledged his Broncos team had an off night.
“As a team, we just simply didn’t have our best night. We all know it in our heads and it was a bad time to have one of those stinker games,” said Williams.
The Broncos only mustered six hits and drew two walks against Old Abes’ starter Dylan O’Connell, who struck out five, and forced seven flyouts through 6-2/3 innings.
Despite the loss and some initial pains, Broncos coach Nate Meyer said his team should have plenty of accomplishments to look back on, including Union Grove’s second WIAA state berth in as many chances.
“I told these guys, one game doesn’t define what we did. Yes, this game is going to hurt for awhile,” Meyer said. “We won a very tough sectional to make it to state. We are very, very fortunate. There is a lot to be happy about.”
To read the entire story and see additional photos from the state quarterfinal game see the July 2 edition of the Westine Report.
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