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May 30, 2009

Assumption pulls out regional win over Bucs in final at-bat

By Michael Kommer
For the Daily Tribune

Trailing by a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Assumption baseball team appeared as though its season was about to come to an earlier-than-desired end.

But after two Prentice errors, Assumption was able to tie the game and score the game-winning run, giving the Royals a 6-5 come-from-behind victory in a WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal Friday at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids.

The Royals advance to play second-seeded Athens in Athens on Tuesday night in regional final action.

After a lead-off double by Kyle Steele and an intentional walk to Alex Erdmann, the Royals tied the game as the Prentice first baseman missed the tag on Brad Birkhauser, scoring Steele.

A wild pitch on the next batter allowed Erdmann to cross home and complete the comeback.

"This win means a lot," Erdmann said. "This gives us confidence and lets us know we can make a comeback if we need to."

Prentice struck first in the third inning when Cody Hawkins crossed home on a Nate Erickson double, but was thrown out trying to make it to third.

The Royals answered back in their half of the third with two unearned runs by Travis Primeau and Steele, giving the Royals a 2-1 advantage.

After seeing its lead disappear, Prentice locked down defensively while its offense came to life. Pitcher Nate Erickson kept the Royals off balance, tallying 10 strikeouts and walking four in a complete-game effort.

The Buccaneers scored a combined four runs in the fifth and sixth frames to take a 5-2 lead.

"We played our best game all season," Prentice coach Joe Parisi said. "We only lose one player, so there is a big boost of confidence coming back next year."

Assumption scored twice in its half of the sixth on runs by Nick Buntrock and Brad Rosandick, setting the stage for the seventh inning.

"This was a great high school baseball game," Assumption coach Mike Schulte said. "I'm proud of the seniors. They kept the bench fired up and focused. They are a competitive bunch of kids."

Royals 6, Buccaneers 5

Prentice 001 031 0 -- 5 7 4

Assumption 002 002 2 -- 6 6 3

WP--Travis Primeau. LP--Nick Erickson. SO--Erickson 10; Nick Buntrock 5, Primeau 1. BB--Erickson 4; Buntrock 4. 2B--A, Buntrock, Kyle Steele; P, Erickson, Tyler Parisi, Trevor Maki.

Records: Prentice 2-14; Assumption 11-13.

Assumption’s Brad Birkhauser is tagged out by Prentice’s Trevor Maki during Friday's WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal at Witter Field. (TOM LOUCKS/Daily Tribune)