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Nats Victorious over Janesville Aces
Posted by Steve Elliott at Jun 9, 2006 5:00PM PDT
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Steve Elliott for Tom Donovan
Nights like Friday test the mettle of even the most diehard of gamers. Wind, rain, and 40 degree temperatures in June aren't supposed to be part of the agreement. Most players have this written into their contracts. Nationals players aren't most players, though.
The locals played crisp defense and generated just enough offense to prevail 3-2 in a State League game versus the Janesville Aces at Zirkel Field. Janesville could not say the same.
Janesville did jump to an early 2-0 lead against starter and winning pitcher, Corey Berndsen (Cardinal Stritch), but failed to generate a timely hit thereafter. Berndsen made big pitches to get out of jams in each of the six innings he worked, allowing his team to take advantage of Janesville miscues. Berndsen allowed 5 hits and 6 walks while striking out nine in a workmanlike 126 pitch effort.
Phil Gnacinski (Trinity International) pitched the final three frames for the save. Gnacinski also had to navigate a major jam to preserve the victory. He succeeded by striking out Aces' clean up hitter, Josh Shere (UW-Oshkosh) with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning.
The Nationals offense, combined with two untimely Janesville errors, proved to be enough on this night. The Nationals matched the Aces two early runs with two of their own in the second.
Tom Donovan (UW-Oshkosh/Indian Hills) led off with a single and was moved to third on a double by Jerad Stengel (Carroll). Then, with two outs, Kellen Haynes (Parkside/Chicago State/UW-LaCrosse) hit a slow roller between third and short. Janesville shortshop Josh Shere's only hope was to get a force out at third, but his throw eluded brother Joe Shere at third base, allowing Donovan and Stengel to score, tying the game.
The deciding run also scored on a Janesville error. With runners on the corners and one out, Mike Kenseth hit what appeared to be a double play ground ball to short. Kenseth's hustle down the line, though, rushed the relay throw, causing it to fly errantly by the first basemen. That gave the Nats a 3-2 advantage, and eventually, a victory.
Next up is another State League and Langsdorf League powerhouse. The Kenosha Kings come to town on Wednesday for a 7:30 game at Zirkel Field. Obstructed view tickets are still available. Johnny Arnold bobbleheads will be not be given away.
Nights like Friday test the mettle of even the most diehard of gamers. Wind, rain, and 40 degree temperatures in June aren't supposed to be part of the agreement. Most players have this written into their contracts. Nationals players aren't most players, though.
The locals played crisp defense and generated just enough offense to prevail 3-2 in a State League game versus the Janesville Aces at Zirkel Field. Janesville could not say the same.
Janesville did jump to an early 2-0 lead against starter and winning pitcher, Corey Berndsen (Cardinal Stritch), but failed to generate a timely hit thereafter. Berndsen made big pitches to get out of jams in each of the six innings he worked, allowing his team to take advantage of Janesville miscues. Berndsen allowed 5 hits and 6 walks while striking out nine in a workmanlike 126 pitch effort.
Phil Gnacinski (Trinity International) pitched the final three frames for the save. Gnacinski also had to navigate a major jam to preserve the victory. He succeeded by striking out Aces' clean up hitter, Josh Shere (UW-Oshkosh) with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning.
The Nationals offense, combined with two untimely Janesville errors, proved to be enough on this night. The Nationals matched the Aces two early runs with two of their own in the second.
Tom Donovan (UW-Oshkosh/Indian Hills) led off with a single and was moved to third on a double by Jerad Stengel (Carroll). Then, with two outs, Kellen Haynes (Parkside/Chicago State/UW-LaCrosse) hit a slow roller between third and short. Janesville shortshop Josh Shere's only hope was to get a force out at third, but his throw eluded brother Joe Shere at third base, allowing Donovan and Stengel to score, tying the game.
The deciding run also scored on a Janesville error. With runners on the corners and one out, Mike Kenseth hit what appeared to be a double play ground ball to short. Kenseth's hustle down the line, though, rushed the relay throw, causing it to fly errantly by the first basemen. That gave the Nats a 3-2 advantage, and eventually, a victory.
Next up is another State League and Langsdorf League powerhouse. The Kenosha Kings come to town on Wednesday for a 7:30 game at Zirkel Field. Obstructed view tickets are still available. Johnny Arnold bobbleheads will be not be given away.
Kiwanis too strong as shorthanded Nats fall 9-3
Posted by Steve Elliott at Jun 5, 2006 5:00PM PDT
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The Nationals took their act to Racine to battle the teal and black on tuesday and brought 10 eager players with them. Problem was the Kiwanis pounded the Nats with a very storng line-up. RHP Jim Jungbauer making his 2nd start of the year suffered the loss in the game going the first 4 innings. Racine jumped out to an 8-0 lead into the late innings until the Nats finally got on the board with 3 runs in the 7th. Racine taked on another run to make it 9-3. 1B Tom Donovan and CF Jim Riebe (UW-La Crosse) had 2 hit games for the Nats and Curt Pryal had a 2-run single. That was just about all the offense they could muster off LHP Mike Jacobson (UW-Whitewater) who threw a stong game and earned the victory. The Nationals are now 2-1 in Langsdorf play and take on Janesville in a non-conference game on friday at Zirkel.
Nats Sweep Angels in rematch of Langsdorf Finals
Posted by Steve Elliott at Jun 4, 2006 5:00PM PDT
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Saturday night at Zirkel field saw the West Allis Nationals face off against the Milwaukee Angels in a rematch of last years finals. This day belonged to the Nats and their pitchers. In a total team effort they fended off the Angels 9-1 in Game 1 and 9-0 in Game 2. Tim Spata worked 6 blank frames in the first game and picked up the victory. Game 2 was started by Corey Berndsen (Cardinal Stritch) and he pitched very well in his 2nd start of the year. Berndsen mixed up his pitches well and threw all his pitches for strikes all night. Seth Kronke was the hitting star for the double header, only making 1 out in the 2 games. SS Chad Olsen (Ripon), OF Jim Riebe (UW-Lacrosse)also made good offensive contributions. The Nats go 2-0 in Langsdorf play and will travel to Racine to take on the Kiwanis who are 1-1 in league play. Needless to say there won't be many chances to catch your breath this summer, outside of maybe Summerfest.
Nationals Earn National Ranking in Poll
Posted by Steve Elliott at May 26, 2006 5:00PM PDT
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The honors keep coming. Fresh off a Langsdorf League Championship and strong showing at the 2005 Wisconsin State Tournament, the Nationals now have been honored with a ranking among the Nation's best semi-pro baseball teams.
The National Semi-Pro Baseball Association has made the Nationals the #20 team in the country in its latest poll. Others are keenly aware of the team's status, as well.
Adult film star, Ron Jeremy, recently invited Nats pitcher Johnny Arnold to the set of a remote shoot as part of an apprenticeship to help prepare Johnny for life after baseball. Johnny quickly learned that his powerful fastball and sharp curve were no match for Ron's tool of the trade. We're not certain if there is an off-season conditioning program to help Johnny in this area, but unidentified sources have confirmed the shipment of a large order of Viagra to the Arnold home in Menomonee Falls.
The National Semi-Pro Baseball Association has made the Nationals the #20 team in the country in its latest poll. Others are keenly aware of the team's status, as well.
Adult film star, Ron Jeremy, recently invited Nats pitcher Johnny Arnold to the set of a remote shoot as part of an apprenticeship to help prepare Johnny for life after baseball. Johnny quickly learned that his powerful fastball and sharp curve were no match for Ron's tool of the trade. We're not certain if there is an off-season conditioning program to help Johnny in this area, but unidentified sources have confirmed the shipment of a large order of Viagra to the Arnold home in Menomonee Falls.
After the previous night of only getting 1 ball out of the infield there was nowhere to go but up for the Nats. On saturday they earned a split in the home opener for the Manitowoc Bandits in Manitowoc. Game 1 put RHP Jim Jungbauer on the hill, the same one where he dominated the Appleton Legends only a season ago to close out his season. Saturday Jungbauer didn't fare as well. Pitching to a pretty small strikezone didn't help his confidence any after not taking the hill since his performance last season, he was a little wild and left after only 3+ innings and left with a 3-1 defecit. That gave way to Curt Pryal in relief and he went on to hold the Bandits at bay for the remainder of the game, allowing just 1 run over that span.
As they couldn't do on the previous day the Nats actually mounted a counter attack, going to work on their defecit. The 1st big blow of the season came off the bat of newly aquired 2bman Andy Gerharz, who stroked a 2-run double and later came around to score. Gerharz had 2 doubles for the game and the Nats had a 5-4 lead after 5 innings. The icing on the cake came in the form of a 2-run bomb over the scoreboard at Memorial Stadium by veteran James Herkowski, his 1st of the year. They then went on to cruise to the victory behind the relief efforts of Pryal, who got his 1st victory of the season.
Multiple hits: Gerharz 2, Herkowski 2, Riebe 2
Multiple RBI: Gerharz 3, Herkowski 3
Game 2 was a different story, the Nationals could only muster 3 hits and 3 runs off of Bandits RHP Adam Kilp. The Nats got an early 2-1 lead after 2 innings but a 3-run 3rd inning put the Bandits on top for good this game. The Nats fought back to make it a 4-3 game until the 5th when they added an insurance run to make it 5-3. Starting pitcher Corey Berndsen (Cardinal Stritch) still on the mound in the 6th surrendured a 2-run homer to Kyle Schroeder, which hit off the top of the wall and went out. That made it 7-3, which turned out to be the final score.
Multiple Hits:
Multiple RBI:
Record 1-2
Next up for the Nationals is the rubber match vs. Manitowoc on Sunday
Probable starter: Johnny Wholestaff
As they couldn't do on the previous day the Nats actually mounted a counter attack, going to work on their defecit. The 1st big blow of the season came off the bat of newly aquired 2bman Andy Gerharz, who stroked a 2-run double and later came around to score. Gerharz had 2 doubles for the game and the Nats had a 5-4 lead after 5 innings. The icing on the cake came in the form of a 2-run bomb over the scoreboard at Memorial Stadium by veteran James Herkowski, his 1st of the year. They then went on to cruise to the victory behind the relief efforts of Pryal, who got his 1st victory of the season.
Multiple hits: Gerharz 2, Herkowski 2, Riebe 2
Multiple RBI: Gerharz 3, Herkowski 3
Game 2 was a different story, the Nationals could only muster 3 hits and 3 runs off of Bandits RHP Adam Kilp. The Nats got an early 2-1 lead after 2 innings but a 3-run 3rd inning put the Bandits on top for good this game. The Nats fought back to make it a 4-3 game until the 5th when they added an insurance run to make it 5-3. Starting pitcher Corey Berndsen (Cardinal Stritch) still on the mound in the 6th surrendured a 2-run homer to Kyle Schroeder, which hit off the top of the wall and went out. That made it 7-3, which turned out to be the final score.
Multiple Hits:
Multiple RBI:
Record 1-2
Next up for the Nationals is the rubber match vs. Manitowoc on Sunday
Probable starter: Johnny Wholestaff
