The conference doubleheader with Perham on April 25 had plenty of offensive fireworks, but the Yellowjackets provided them in the 24-9 and 18-0 double-dip sweep of the Wolverines.
Perham started off the first game with four runs in the first inning and quickly added to the lead with a seven-run second inning for a 11-0 lead.
The Wolverines answered back in perhaps their best inning of the season as they scored six runs in the bottom half of the second to close the gap.
After Jascha Pettit struck out to start the inning, the Wolverines drew three straight walks to load the bases. Ryan Kephart had an RBI bases-loaded walk, and Seth Hamman scored two runs with his single. Derek Neu drew another walk to keep the bases loaded, and Preston Stearns single plated Ryan Kephart. Pettit forced a bases-loaded walk that trotted Hamann home, and Aaron Jasmer closed out the scoring by laying down a grounder that the Jacket shortstop booted for an error, scoring Neu.
The Wolverines offensive showcase allowed them to pull within 11-6 and give them some spark heading into the third inning.
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We looked OK at the offensive side of the ball, Wolverine coach Scott Petrowski said. We were patient and got our pitches to hit and put the ball in play, which was a good sign.
It was the wrong kind of spark the Wolverines were looking for as Perham lit them up for six runs in the top of the inning. Jacket Matt Kalina provided the power, hitting a three-run homer as Perham built a 17-6 lead.
The Wolverines tallied three runs in the bottom half of the third inning, scoring on a passed ball and back-to-back RBI singles by Neu and Stearns.
Perham would add five runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to end the game via 10-run rule.
The Wolverines were led by Stearns 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Hamman, 1-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Neu took the loss on the mound for the Wolverines in game one.
Kalina finished with six RBIs and three runs scored while going 3-for-4 for Perham.
The nightcap was quick and painless for the Wolverines as Jacket starting pitcher Philip Moenkedick threw a no-hitter against the Wolverines, allowing just one walk over five innings. He also helped the cause from the plate, going 3-for-3 with four runs scored.
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We just simply didnt compete, Petrowski said.
Perham threw a nice lefty, which kept Wolverines off balance, he said.
Seven Perham players drove in at least two runs en route to scoring seven runs in the first, three runs in the third and six runs in the fourth before ending the game with two runs in the fifth.
Justin Wolden took the loss for the Wolverines in the nightcap.
Both games our pitchers struggled and they had a tough time throwing strikes, Petrowski said. When they did get the ball across it was usually put into play.
The rainy weather cancelled last Fridays game with Roseau and gave Petrowski extra time to work on some areas the Wolverines had trouble with during the loss to Perham.
With any win or loss, you always learn something about the team, Petrowski said. I took a lot away from the Perham game and have been trying to work on it in practice the last few days.
The Wolverines got back into action this week starting with a conference doubleheader with Staples-Motley on Tuesday. They will close out the week with another doubleheader in Crosby-Ironton on Friday.
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Perham at WDC on April 25
Yellowjackets 24, Wolverines 9 (Game 1)
R H E
PHS 4 7 6 5 2- 24 23 2
WDC 0 6 3 0 0- 9 8 4
WDC
Seth Hamman 1-4, 2R, HP, BB, 2RBI; Derek Neu 1-4, R, BB, RBI; Preston Stearns 3-5, 2RBI; Aaron Jasmer 1-3, R, RBI; Aaron Jackson 1-3, R, BB
Yellowjackets 18, Wolverines 0 (Game 2)
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R H E
PHS 7 0 3 6 2- 18 18 0
WDC 0 0 0 0 0- 0 0 2
WDC
Neu 0-2, BB
