West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

The Nationals didn't let the memory of Friday night's marathon loss linger very long. 12 hours after a 11-10, 16 inning defeat to Menasha, the local nine were back on the field to face Manitowoc. Led by Joe Kissler's stellar pitching, the team played a crisp game in defeating the Bandits 2-1. Kissler allowed only 2 hits and one unearned run while striking out 4. Effectively mixing his pitches and location, Kissler made good use of the two runs the offense was able to produce. Mike Wajerski provided the team with its only runs on RBI singles in the fifth and seventh innings. Game Two was also crisply played, but the Nats were unable to generate enough offense to prevail, falling to the Bandits 3-2. The team had good scoring opportunities in the fourth and fifth innings, but failed to produce. A seventh inning rally fell short when Chris Marks flied out to left field with Alex Franson on third to end the game. Tim Spata and James Herkowski knocked in the team's only runs. Spata's RBI single in the second put the team on the board after Manitowoc had jumped to a first inning lead. Tim Spata took the loss, allowing nine hits and five walks. Next up for the Nationals are the Sheboygan A's on Sunday at 1PM.

Most teams would have been satisfied playing 4 games in 3 days. This year's Nationals squad, though, felt differently. In their season opener versus the Menasha Macs, the Nationals battled for 7 extra frames before falling 11-10. Rookie pitcher Tim Ustruck was the hard luck loser for the Nats. His wild pitch in the bottom of the sixteenth allowed the winning run to score from third, thus ending the marathon at 12:04am. James Herkowski led the offense with 5 hits, 3 runs and 2 RBI's. Chris Marks and Joe Kissler each added 3 hits. Unfortunately, the offensive production offset by terrible defense. Of Menasha's 11 runs scored, only 4 were earned. The squad committed 9 errors, many of which were costly. Next on the schedule are the Manitowoc Bandits. The team will have less than 12 hours to bounce back from a tough loss.

The 2003 Nationals will kick off the season Friday with a game against the Northeastern League's Menasha Macs. The Macs hold a 2-1 edge in prior games played. Players are to meet at 2375 South 78th Street for rideshare instructions and uniform distribution at 3:30pm. Those Committed to Friday's Game: Kissler Stengel Wajerski Donovan Dettman Herkowski Spata Franson Marks Ustruck Elliott SATURDAY ARRIVALS Reisinger Bovee Koutnik SUNDAY ARRIVALS Paige Banning Any questions or conflicts? Contact Steve at 414-305-2104.

Joe Kissler- Season Complete. Started on the mound May 2 in conference tournament game versus ITT and was tough luck loser 5-4 in 10 innings. 3-0, .95 ERA in three prior starts; Complete game victory over ITT on April 26, allowing only one earned run, 2-2 with a double in the nightcap. 0-3 in a 10-2 victory over Wi Lutheran on Wednesday. Threw a one hit shutout April 14, allowing only a seeing-eye single. Joe Reisinger- Season Complete as La Crosse is eliminated from WIAC tournament after losing to Whitewater and Stevens Point in consecutive games. Finishes hitting .309. 2-6 with a steal in a DH split versus Winona State. Hit leadoff and went 3-5 with a stolen base in victory over UW Superior. 3-7 with 2 walks, 4 runs scored and an RBI in a doubleheader sweep of UW Superior on May 3. 1-3 with a stolen base in 11-7 loss to Viterbo on May 1. 0-6 as La Crosse takes three of four from the nation's #3 team, Stevens Point. Hit a two run double in a six run sixth inning of a 9-4 victory April 19. Jared Stengel- Season Complete-finished at .229 with 1 HR and 9 RBI. Went 2-2 with 2 RBI in victory over St. Norbert's on May 4. 0-2 in a 7-4 win over St. Norberts on Saturday May 3. 0-3 with RBI in 6-4 loss to Marian on April 29. 0-4 versus Lakeland on April 27. 1-4 versus Lawrence on April 24. Big day versus Lawrence last week. Solo HR in a 6-2 loss and Pinch hit RBI single in the 12th inning of an 8-6 victory. Jim Jungbauer -Up Next: NCAA Regionals May 15-18. On May 9 Jimmy threw 2 scoreless innings of relief in 10-6 victory over Augustana. Jim's line: 2IP/1H/0R/0BB/2SO's. On May 4 Jimmy came in with his team down 9-3 in the 5th and shut the door, allowing team to secure a 13-9 victory. Jimmy's line: 4IP/3H/0R/3BB/3K's. 3 Innings in start versus #5 Ripon College on April 29. 3H/1ER/1BB/4 K's. 2.1 Innings/3H/0ER/0BB/4K's in relief of starting pitcher on April 22. 3 Wins 1 Loss as a spot starter/long reliever. Tim Ustruck- Season Complete. Team lost to Marian and Edgewood in two conference tournament games. Pitched 6.1 innings, overcoming 7 errors to earn first collegiate victory in 9-5 defeat of Aurora on April 27. Allowed 0ER/7H/4BB/4K's. Pitched 2 scoreless/hitless innings of relief in a 21-0 pasting of Maranatha on April 22. Trevor Koepp- Season Complete. First Team All Conference Honors are due to be announced for Trevor. Another HR on Sat. Apr 26 in victory over ITT. 4-6 with 4 RBI in DH sweep of Wisconsin Lutheran on April 24. .436 avg., 5 HR, 26 RBI, and .692 Slugging % put Trevor among the top 10 in the league in each category as of April 27. Kyle Knaust- Season Complete. Team lost its two tournament games to Marian and Edgewood. Kyle went 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI in conference playoff play-in victory over MSOE. 0-2 in a 6-4 loss to UW Stout on Saturday May 3. Toed the rubber for 2 inning in non-conference start versus Wheaton on April 29. 3-6 with RBI in DH loss to Marian on April 28th. 4-10 with 4 RBI's in 3 games versus Aurora and Edgewood. 2 run HR in a 10-6 victory over MSOE on April 24. 2-3 with a three run triple in win over Maranatha on April 22. For complete details on each player, click on "Related Web Sites" in the left hand menu column and choose the appropriate link.

Thanks go out to Cesar's Inn for their $500 contribution towards this year's team. Please stop off on behalf of the Nationals and say thanks to Gary and Elizabeth Janocik by buying the bar a drink!