Bremen Athletics

It was a hitters' night in the Mint City and the Lions and Jimmies did not disappoint, combining for 25 runs over 7 innings in a game Bremen ultimately won 13-12. Junior JJ Cencelewski delivered a game winning 2 run, 2 strike, 2 out single to walk it off for the Lions. A slew of walks and errors in the opening frame put the Lions behind 4-0 before coming to the plate. Bremen responded with their first five hitters reaching base. Cencelewski, Zack Buszkiewicz, and Max Barnes all drove in runs for the Lions set up by a sac bunt from Aiden Alvarado. A sac fly by Zack Rouch in the 2nd put Bremen ahead 5-4 but the lead didn't last for long. Jimtown loaded the bases and erputed for a 7 run top of the 3rd behind a run of walks and base hits. Buszkiewicz took the hill with two outs and put out the fire with the Lions trailing 11-5. He went on to hurl 3.1 innings in relief, only allowing one run and giving the Bremen hitters a chance to chip away at the deficit. In the 5th, his double set up another rally in which the Lions trimmed the margin to 2, highlighted by Barnes' third RBI in as many plate appearances. Maddux Hickman came on to work a scoreless top of the 7th after Jimtown grabbed a run in the 6th. The senior converted a pop up into a double play getting the Lions off the field and into the box with a chance to finish the comeback, trailing 12-10. Jack Wildauer started the train with a lead off single. Jace Pippenger singled to left with one out and Landon Bates drew a walk to turn the lineup over. Corban Van Vuren grounded out to first, bringing in Wildauer and setting up an intentional walk to Zack Rouch, loading the bases. JJ Cencelewski came to the dish and ripped a game winning single to right, bringing Bates home from second for the winning run. An exciting conference win for the Lions, who showed incredible resiliency throughout the battle, moving to 3-0 on the campaign. Bremen and Jimtown will turn around and play again on Friday night, this time at Jimtown with a 7pm first pitch. Thursday, April 23rd Bremen 13 Jimtown 12 DH/P Zack Buszkiewicz: 2-3, 2B, 3 R, RBI, HBP // 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K 3B Max Barnes: 2-3, 3 RBI, Sac Fly LF JJ Cencelewski: 2-4, R, 3 RBI, HBP - Walk off 2 run single RF Jack Wildauer: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI SS Aiden Alvarado: 1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB, Sac Bunt P/CR Maddux Hickman: R // 1.0 IP, W, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB Photo Credits: John Buszkiewicz