West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

The Nats came into saturday knowing that their window of opportunity to reach the playoffs is fast closing. With that said, the task was to take on the 1st place Kenosha Kings in a double header. Game 1 put Scott Evasovich (Carthage) vs. Tim Spata. The Nats put up a 6 spot in the 2nd inning with a lot of small ball. 4 consecutive bunts lead to 4 runs, and a 2-run, 2-out single by DH Jim Jungbauer concluded the attack for the inning. The Nats added 2 more runs over the rest of the game making the score 8-3 going into the bottom of the 7th. A 3-run HR by Dave Hermes cut the lead to 8-6, but that was all the Kings had, possibly because they saved their comeback for Game 2. Game 2 started very ominous for the Nats and Jim Jungbauer, who took the hill vs. Kyle Obenauf (Valparaiso). The Nats spotted the Kings a 5 spot in the 1st with spotty defense and pitching. The Kings added 1 in the 2nd to make it 6-0. Then came the 4th inning, where Obenauf who had it on cruise, started to falter with his control. Suddenly he couldn't find the plate and the Nationals mounted a rally, scoring 5 times in that frame. In the 5th inning West Allis tied it with 2 outs on a bloop single by 1B Tom Donovan. The 6th inning the Nats exploded for 6 runs, sparked by a 2 run single by 2B Andy Gerharz. With a comfortable lead at 12-6, the Nats took the field for the 7th inning, hoping to complete the sweep. Jungbauer, who threw over 200 pitches for the game got the first 2 outs without event. Then as you would say, the flood gates opened. The Kings put baserunners on and got a 3-run triple, spiced in another run to make the score 12-10. With men on 1st and 2nd, John Lequia (Bradley) came up and shot a 2-run double down the left field line to tie the game! RHP Phil Gnasinski replaced Jungbauer and got out of the inning. In the bottom of the 7th the Nationals were retired in order, and in extra innings the Kings put up 1 run to make the score 13-12. West Allis could not score the tying run in the bottom half of the 8th, making this a remarkable comeback victory for the Kenosha Kings, and a crushing loss for the Nationals. Next up: West Allis Whitesox on Tuesday

Now in the 2nd half of the season, the West Allis Nationals appear that they aren't ready to cash in their season just yet. Traveling to Janesville short-handed, (11 players) didn't seem to bother them as they went back and forth with the hometown Aces for the majority of the game. LHP Adam Karas started on the hill and despite walking 7 hitters, was able to keep the Nats in the game for his 5 innings pitched. After Karas left with a lead, the ball went to utilityman Alex Franson who went on to impress by holding the Aces scoreless over the last 4 innings. When the fog rolled in and the dust settled, West Allis had prevailed with a 6-5 victory. Many contributions were made on offense, including the boost of having 2B Andy Gerharz (Eastern Arizona CC) return from his stint in the Northwoods League. He added an instant spark to the top of the lineup. Mike Kenseth (UW-Whitewater), Tom Donovan and Jim Jungbauer also helped the offense with their bats. None of this would have been possible if it weren't for Jungbauer's glove! "Junk" made 2 great catches in right field, the second of which possibly saved the game, when he laid out completely and made a true "web gem". Jungbauer possibly making a statement on his role as just a pitcher? Next up: Kenosha (DH) Saturday

On saturday night at Fred Zirkel field the 1st place Racine Kiwanis paid a visit to the West Allis Nationals. Game 1 put two of the leagues veteran pitchers against each other (RHP's Kevin Sowinski and Tim Spata). The Nats squandered early opportunities to go up by striking out looking to end two potential big innings. The Kiwanis were up 3-1 for much of the game, until the 5th, when they broke it wide open with 5 runs. The Nats put up 2 more runs, but couldn't climb out of the hole and took the loss 8-3. Game 2 started like many others, until Kiwanis pitcher Mike Jacobson (UW-Whitewater) decided to make it interesting. He came high and tight on a few Nationals hitters and then even asked leadoff man Adam Karas "if he wanted one", and then proceeded to follow through on his promise. The Nats put up a run on a James Herkowski single and held that lead behind Jim Jungbauer, who looked to regain his stuff of last summer in his contract year. Jungbauer, in uncharacteristic fashion, didn't walk or hit a batter during the entire game. West Allis added another run in the 5th on an error and lead 2-0. The 7th inning started rather ominously when Kiwanis catcher Ryan Schmidt hit a high pop fly to center. Karas, initially broke back, then slipped and let the ball fall in for a leadoff single. The next hitter worked a 3-1 count and ripped a single down the left field line. With 2 on and nobody out, Racine tried a sacrafice bunt, but CF Brady Knudsen popped the bunt up to the catcher Jared Stengal, who then fired a rod down to second to double off the runner. The last out was recorded on a pop up to the mound and Jungbauer and Stengal decided to fight over the it. Jungbauer, who has maybe an inch on Stengal had the ball fall into his glove for the ballgame. The big K (Karma) was in effect for this game in regards to Jacobson, who didn't pitch a bad game. Maybe a little slice of humble pie would do him well. Next up: Nats @ Janesville, Tuesday

When the Milwaukee Angels trotted Aaron Martinez out to the hill on Tuesday night, no one on the Nationals panicked. This was because they have seen the right-hander more than any other opponent in the entire league over the last 3 years. When he came out in the 1st a little wild, there was no signs of what was to come. The Nationals loaded the bases with 2 outs in the 1st and James Herkowski blooped a 3-2 pitch into right field for a 2 run single. Those were all the runs that the Nats were able to get off Martinez as he settled down in a big way. LHP Johnny Arnold was making a start for the Nats for the first time since the road trip and he looked sharp as ever. Martinez and Arnold worked quickly and mowed down the opposing orders for the entire night. The speed bump came in the 5th inning when the Angels 1B Chris Teske hit a routine double play to second. The feed on the throw was a little off, and it caused both runners to be safe. A sacrafice bunt, base hit and wild pitch were all the Angels needed to tie the score at 2-2. The Nationals and Angels went back and forth until the bottom of the 10th, when RHP Jim Jungbauer, replacing Arnold, gave up a leadoff single. The Angels successfully dropped down a sac bunt, moving the runner to second. The next batter hit a weak groundball to third and 3Bman/DH James Herkowski's throw was a little high, and it went past the fence line, out of play. By rule, the runner on 2nd was allowed to score for the game winning run. Martinez was masterful and so was Arnold. Martinez got the win and pitched all 10 innings, which was a very impressive pheat. Arnold went 9 innings and was also extremely impressive. The hard luck loss to Jungbauer. The Nats now have time to collect their thoughts on a so far disappointing 2006 season, as they get the mid-summer break for Summerfest.

When the Nationals came out and scored 2 runs early on the McGuires Cats and Curt Pryal was coasting through 4 no hit innings, all looked good. With a man on 3rd and 1 out in the bottom of the 4th, Tom Donovan lined into a 3-5, inning ending double play. The Cats came out in the 5th and the momentum had swung in their favor. The Cats ended Pryals no-hit bid and actually took the lead 4-2 after the 6th. They would add another run to make it a final of 5-2. This marked the 1st time in a long time that the Nationals dropped a game to the Cats. Game 2 was a different story... With a drastic lineup shake the Nats actually found their offensive stride. Putting together a 4 run 1st inning helped starting pitcher Tim Spata out and would go on to handcuff the Cats over the course of the game. Phil Gnasinski came in to close out the game and the Nats prevailed 8-4 in game 2. Record: 6-8 (4-5) UP NEXT: Milwaukee Angels-Tuesday @ Harden 7:30