West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

Sunday afternoon the Nationals took the field in Manitowoc knowing that the game would be their final one of the season. Because Janesville held the tiebreaker in Pool B, a victory would only earn the squad an identical 2-1 record in the round robin format. Lesser teams would have lacked enthusiasm, effort, and motivation. This year's squad is greater than that. Playing inspired baseball for one final game in 2005, the locals sent Sheboygan home with an 8-0 dismantling. After Corey Berndsen set down Sheboygan 1-2-3 in the first, the Nats pushed two runs across in their half of the frame. After Adam Karas was hit by a pitch and stole second, Jesse Hart singled him home. Hart advanced to second on a passed ball and stole third, later scoring on a ground out by Tom Donovan. Berndsen cruised through the second and third, giving the team momentum. It the bottom of the third the Nats broke the game open with a three spot to take a commanding 5-0 lead and squash what remained of Sheboygan's spirit. Three runs in the fourth served as gravy as this was Corey Berndsen's finest day in a Nationals uniform. He went the distance in the one hit, shutout victory, striking out 9 of the final 12 batters he faced. The Nats finish the year with 26 victories, second most in team history, and an eighth League Title. Next up for the squad will be the season concluding golf outing and awards ceremony. The public is invited to attend, but be warned - it will be a Nationals weekend to rival those produced by the boys of the 80's era.