Wausau’s offense pounces on Patriots

Six errors over the first three innings did not help Shawano starting pitcher Bryce Gagnow or reliever Casey Baumann, who allowed 13 runs over three innings in a 13-1 five-inning loss to Wausau on Thursday at Memorial Park.

Wausau came out swinging, starting with an Eric Nerison two-run home run in the first, and then seven consecutive singles in the second inning, all with two outs, to build its lead to six runs, 7-1.

Shawano head coach Ryan Koenig would have liked to see a little more variety from his pitchers, both in terms of speeds and locations to challenge the Wausau hitters.

“It seemed like we were throwing the ball right down the middle or inside half, which is right where they want the ball,” Koenig said. “It’s a development from a pitching standpoint.”

Three errors, three hits and three walks accounted for Wausau’s six-run third inning to put the visitors up 12.

“We hit the ball hard, and they booted some,” Wausau head coach Tom Magnuson said. “Got some base hits and jumped on them early.”

Shawano scored its lone run of the game in the first inning. Jacob Lacy reached on an error and advanced to second during the next at-bat. Tasa Grignon drove him in with a single, before getting thrown out at second base trying to advance on the throw to the plate.

From there, Wausau starting pitcher Garrett Hohn took over.

“They were just unfortunate enough to get him,” Magnuson said. “That’s just unfortunate the way the rotation worked out. He had to get some work.”

Hohn struck out six consecutive batters over the second and third innings, and did not allow the Patriots to record another hit after the Grignon single.

Lacy and Seth Sousek walked in the fourth inning, and Lacy advanced to third base on a wild pitch, but Hohn settled in to get Connor Klish to strike out to end the inning.

Shawano (2-2) was not able to force any drama in the fifth inning to extend the game. Kien Moorman grounded out on the first pitch he saw, and Cole Nelson and Brett Ainsworth both struck out to end the game.

Hohn struck out 10 batters in five innings for the Bulldogs (2-3), giving up the one hit and one unearned run.

“He was throwing hard. Probably the hardest thrower we’ve seen this year,” Koenig said. “In the box, we’ve got to be ready.”

Nelson pitched the fourth and fifth innings for the Hawks, keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in both frames. He was able to change speeds well, which turned some of the hard-hit balls in previous innings to easy ground balls for his defense.

“With Cole’s speed and knuckleball, they aren’t as confident in their swinging,” Koenig said. “When they aren’t swinging for power, it’s a lot of easy groundballs for us, or pop-ups.”

Gagnow was charged with seven earned runs over 2 1/3 innings. He gave up nine hits, walked one and struck out one. Baumann, in relief, pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up two hits and one earned run.

Nelson allowed one hit.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E

Wausau 2 5 6 0 0 13 12 1

Shawano 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 6