West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

The Nationals got an early taste of playoff-caliber baseball on Tuesday when they squared off with the Kenosha Kings at Nash Park.

Falling behind 3-0 in the first, the squad scratched their way back in the contest before bowing late.   James Herkowski's sac fly in the second put the squad on the board and Mike Kenseth's big two out, two run double gave the team an early 5-3 lead.

Kenosha tallied one in the seventh against starter Jim Jungbauer to make it 5-4.  Jungbauer finished the inning and ended the night with a solid seven innings, striking out 8, walking 1, and allowing only 2 earned runs.

The eighth inning proved pivotal.   After two walks and a sacrifice to open the inning,  Kenosha sent up a pinch hitter and struck gold.   His two run double gave Kenosha its first lead since the fourth inning, 6-5.   They added another on a double steal before sending the game to the ninth.

The Nats didn't go quietly.   Matt Soderlund doubled home Austin James, who had reached on a single and stole second.   Unfortunately, Jared Stengel was not able to bring him home, flying to center to end the game.

Next up for the Nats is a regular season ending DH vs. the Milwaukee Angels on Saturday afternoon at Zirkel Field.   First pitch is set for 12noon.   At stake is home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, set to start on Tuesday night July 28, also at Zirkel Field.  Game time is 7:30.