Weeks prior, I traveled to Waupaca for a Dairyland League playoff game between the Lakemen and visiting Shawano Lobos. On this day, I ventured back north to see the championship game between the Hortonville Stars and host Bonduel Broncos.

Excitement was real as both sides were packed with people in support of their respective ballclubs. Days earlier the Broncos’ Facebook page displayed some nice shirts so before first pitch I bought a black and cream shirt. As part of the ballpark, the Sikora Community Pavilion provides concessions and a really nice set of trophy cases and scattering of photos and memorabilia to commemorate Bonduel’s baseball history. Very nice, very nice indeed!

Anyhow, on to the game. A week earlier, I read that Bronco’s pitcher, Jeff Thielke, struck out 16 in 7 innings in a playoff matchup against Cecil. So, I was looking for a good championship game. I got what I was hoping for.

Hortonville threatened in the 1st by getting consecutive singles with two outs, but the threat ended on a three pitch strikeout.

Bonduel led off with a single, but a caught stealing and a pair of pop outs put an end to the 1st.

In the bottom of the 2nd the Broncos managed two walks and with two outs a single to left resulted in a play at the plate, but the baserunner was easily thrown out.

Hortonville jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a single and Connor Roesler homer to left.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Bonduel scratched together a run when the bases were loaded on a single, walk, and error, and the next batter was hit by a pitch.

In the 4th, both clubs went down in order.

In the top of the 5th, an Andrew Wedwick double and Kyle Stuewer single put runners on the corners. Connor Roesler then doubled to clear the bases. A pop out and ground out ended any further threat.

Bonduel began the bottom half with a single, but a fielder’s choice and double play ended the inning.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Broncos mustered a baserunner on the second of three Star’s miscues.

In the 7th, Hortonville began the inning with a pair of singles but the threat ended when the next three batters flied out.

Bonduel put together another threat when a single, K, and error put runners on first and second with one out. Put a lineout and fielder’s choice ended the inning.

In the 8th each club got a runner on base but nothing came of it. In the 9th, each team went down in order.

Final score: Hortonville 4 – Bonduel 1.

Hitting summary:
Bonduel had their chances, but a Hortonville pair of pitchers effectively scattered 1 HBP, 3 errors, 4 walks, and 5 singles. Eric Gruenewald and Barret Bohm led the hitting with a pair singles apiece.

Six of nine Hortonville batters reached base, but all the scoring was the result of Roesler’s two-run double and two-run homer. Andrew Wedwick had a single, double and run scored. Kyle Stuewer went 3-4 with two runs scored.