Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School senior Trevor Pedersen struck out 10 Pacelli batters during Bonduel’s 6-1 loss at home Friday.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School third baseman Brent Pieper runs down a slowly hit ball during the Bears’ 6-1 loss Friday at home. Bonduel recorded five errors, including three in the seventh inning, against Pacelli.
Three errors in the final inning sealed Bonduel’s fate Friday in a 6-1 loss to visiting Pacelli in Central Wisconsin Conference-8 action at Village Park.
Trailing by two entering the seventh inning, the Bears struggled to field ground balls, allowing the Cardinals to plate three runs.
“They were throwing the ball before they even caught the ball and looking at the runners instead of just watching the ball into the glove and then throwing them out,” Bonduel head coach Donnie Gruenewald said.
Pitcher Trevor Pedersen, who had not allowed a run since his previous outing against Pacelli (11-1, 6-1 Central Wisconsin Conference-8) on April 14, struck out 10 batters. His scoreless-inning streak ended at 25 in the fourth inning for the Bears (8-3, 5-3 CWC-8).
“Trevor pitched a hell of a game,” Gruenewald said. “The problem we had was we couldn’t pick up a ground ball and throw somebody out. He did just what he was supposed to do in the last inning, got them hitting the ball on the ground. We just couldn’t make the play.”
Pacelli’s leadoff hitter Chris Shibilski started the seventh with a single and moved to second base on a sacrifice. Junior Andy Tepp reached on a error, which also scored Shibilski. Another error gave the Cardinals an additional runner before Jake Thomas singled in the second run. Pacelli’s final run scored on another error.
“I think our guys just put the bat on the ball late in the game,” Pacelli head coach Wayne Sankey said. “Just executed the bunts, got guys on base and were able to move them over, and put the bat on the ball with guys in scoring position.”
The visitors struggled early, as Pedersen had six strikeouts through 3 2/3 innings. That was when Pacelli’s bats came alive.
Starting pitcher Matt Helms got the Cardinals’ first hit in the fourth inning. Cal Hintz followed with a single. Sophomore Jordan Boldt throw to the infield hit Hintz as he slid into second base. The ball rolled away, allowing Helms to score the game’s first run.
The Bears answered in the next frame. Pedersen and Bailey Dingeldein singled, and then Bennett Gunderson hit a hard ground ball that was misplayed by the shortstop, giving the Bears their lone run of the game.
“I think we had a good approach at the plate. I think we attacked (Helms) the way we wanted to,” Gruenewald said. “That’s a pretty good team.”
Two innings later, Pacelli pulled ahead again, using three singles, an error and a bases-loaded walk to open a 3-1 lead. The walk came on a full-count, suicide-squeeze attempt with the bases loaded, as Pedersen missed the zone high. Pacelli’s Zach Zimmerman flew out to right field, and Boldt cut down Hintz at the plate to end the threat.
Helms scattered six hits in seven innings for the Cardinals. He did not allow an earned run and struck out three batters. Helms also led Pacelli with three runs scored on two hits. Tepp added two runs on one hit.
Pedersen allowed nine hits, the one walk and one earned run.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Pacelli 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 6 9 1
Bonduel 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 5