West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

1PM came early Sunday.   That said, the squad was as well prepared as a squad with an aggregate of 10 hours of sleep could be.   On the field and semi-sober at 12PM, the team went through an interesting round of batting practice and infield as they readied themselves for their fourth game in 36 hours.

Despite the effort, the team found itself behind 3-0 after 3 innings thanks to a couple of wind-blown homers against Nats starter, Curt Pryal, and three Manitowoc double plays. 

Our locals would not be denied, however.   Danny Putnam led off with a double and aggressively went to third on an infield ground out.   The play drew a throw from the first baseman after he had completed the putout, but it sailed over the third baseman's head, allowing the Nats to tally their first run.

The Nats second run was also produced by aggressive baserunning.   With runners on first and third and one out, George James broke early for second and got held up in a rundown long enough for Kellen Haynes to sprint home from third with run #2.

Putnam fueled the Nats biggest rally of the game in the 6th.   His leadoff triple rattled the opposition's starter and the next two batters walked.   With the bases loaded and none out, Curt Pryal then hit a sharp grounder to third.   Putnam was off on contact and his speed forced the Bandit's third baseman to rush a throw home.   The result:  ball to the screen and two runs in.    Jared Stengal followed with a long sacrifice fly to CF and the Nats had a 5-3 lead going into the bottom half of the inning.

That would be it for the Nats offense, though.   Two more Manitowoc double plays defused Nats rallies and the team left the field with a tough 7-5 loss.

Next up are the Burlington Barons on Saturday May 31 in Burlington.   First pitch of the DH is set for 6PM.  

The West Allis Nationals dropped a pair to the Manitowoc Bandits Saturday by scores of 5-0 and 11-5.

Game one was never in doubt for the Bandits as Jeff Kohls cruised to a complete game, two hit shutout.    The Nats only rally of the game - a single by Austin James and supporting double by James Herkowski - fizzled when Curt Pryal grounded to second.   

Game two was a back and forth contest that Manitowoc put away with a 5 run 6th inning.  

Dan Putnam led off the game with an infield single, stole second, and was sacrificed to third.    Scoring on a passed ball, the Nats had the early lead.    After watching Manitowoc chip away at starting pitcher Tim Spata, the Nats put together their first and finest rally of the season.   4 runs were plated in the 5th inning, keyed by James Herkowski's bases clearing double and Curt Pryal's RBI triple. 

Unfortunately, the tie would not last.   Manitowoc tallied the deciding run in their half of the 5th thanks to a misplayed ball in the outfield.

The Nats will look to nail down their first victory of the year Sunday afternoon when the two teams square off again.   First pitch is set for 1PM.

The West Allis Nationals opened their 2008 season last night with a tilt against the Menasha Macs at Kozlo Field in Menasha.    The skeleton squad battled hard, but came up a run short in losing 6-5.

Curt Pryal and Jared Stengal led the offense with 3 hits each.   Pryal's night included a home run and 2 RBIs.    Austin James also had 2 RBI's for the local nine.

 Jimmy Jungbauer started on the bump and went 5 innings, allowing 3 runs - 2 of which were earned.   George James pitched the final three allowing 3 unearned runs in the eighth when the game swung.

 Next up are the Manitowoc Bandits.   The Nats and Bandits square off for a DH today and will conclude the series on Sunday.   Kellen Haynes and Tim Spata will start for the Nationals.   The team has high expectations for both after each received a massage and tribal blessing from a Native American medicine man at Tanner's Bar and Grill in Kimberly.    The rest of the squad settled for Miller High Life and pizza.

In a related story, the team celebrated the Cadillac's eighth birthday by reliving its genesis.    While there were no punches thrown and arms wrestled, tempers flared between 5 and 18.    Stay tuned.

Eight Panthers Earn All-Horizon League Baseball Honors

5/19/2008 - Seniors Jesse Hart and Nick Wichser and junior Andy Gerhartz of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team were all named to the All-Horizon League First Team when the league office announced its all-league teams and specialty award winners today. The trio is among eight members of the team to earn various postseason awards. Hart earned the honor at second base, Wichser in the outfield and Gerhartz as a utility player.

Kellen Haynes' three hits paved the way for a Nationals 5-4 victory over the Old Timers on Saturday at Kuenn Field in Rainbow Park.  

The game's start was delayed by a group of young hooligans.   Under the assumption that the field was contracted to them, they decided to play a game.    Nay, Nay, young hooligans.    You'll need to leave.   And leave they did, but not before two of their mothers took the time to undress the Nationals for their mistreatment of their babies.    Sorry.   Thanks for playing.   Ba Bye.

 At 1:23pm CST the game finally began.   To the surprise of no one, a few balls were kicked and a few throws were errant.   That said, the Old Timers (Wajerski - Hluchnik - Glaser) did turn a rare double play.    Mr. Longhenry also flashed the leather at 3rd base with an impressive display of catlike agility.   Not to be lost in the defensive performances was the offensive production of Alex Franson.   The first time Old Timer ripped two doubles in two at bats and had this to say during the book reading:   "One you've gone wood you'll never go back."   It was unclear whether Franson was making a baseball reference, but when you rake as he did, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

365 days remain until next year's game.   Stretch your hamstrings.

Youngsters:

Adam Karas 4 1 0 0

Austin James  5 2 1 1

James Herkowski  4 1 1 0

Curt Pryal  4 0 0 2

Kellen Haynes  3 1 3 0

Tim Spata  2 0 0 0

George James  4 0 2 1

Old Farts:

Alex Franson  2 1 2 2

Steve Hluchnik  3 0 1 0

Chris Marks  3 0 0 1

Dave Glaser 3 0 0 0

Lance Longhenry  3 1 2 0

Jimmy Dettman  4 1 1 1

Mike Wajerski  3 1 2 0

Hurlers:

Steve Elliott    5   5   5   1   3   3

Tim Spata       4  10  5   5   1   2

Curt Pryal       1    1  0   0   0   0

Kellen Haynes  1   1   0   0   0   0