Bremen Athletics

Bremen and Jimtown faced off Monday night in a rematch of last year's sectional title game. For the third time this season the teams played a tight, exciting game that ended in a Lion victory, this time by a final of 3-1. Bremen starting pither JJ Cencelewski fired a complete game for the win, his sixth against INSC opponents this season. The lefty - and battery-mate Zack Rouch - scattered five hits and zero walks while also notching six strikeouts in the contest behind an effective tempo and pitch mix. The sectional title is Bremen's first since 2023 and 13th in school history. Although the game was played at Booster Field, Bremen was the home team due to sectional bye rules. The Bremen crowd showed up in full force, once again showing their unwavering dedication and positive support for Lion athletics. The players responded with an energetic and confident performance during a tight, low-scoring pitchers' duel where the margin for error was thin. Jimtown opened by getting the leadoff man on and around to third, but third baseman Max Barnes cut him down at the plate on a fielder's choice. Cencelewski got the next man to strike out, ending the early threat. The Lions struck first in the bottom half. Rouch reached on a two-strike single, and courtesy runner Maddux Hickman came in on a two-out line drive single from LF Zack Buszkiewicz. Both pitchers worked a clean 2nd inning, and Cencelewksi worked around a single in the top of the 3rd to get Bremen up to bat leading 1-0. After two ground outs, Buszkiewicz ripped another two-out single. SS Aiden Alvarado followed with a base hit, and - after going first to third - Buszkiewicz scored on a throwing error to make it 2-0. Alvarado ended up at third on the play but did not score. Once again, Cencelewski and the Jimtown pitcher exchanged scoreless innings, sending the game to the fifth with the Lions ahead by two. After a ground out and strike out, the Jimmies' leadoff man hammered a deep fly ball to left, but Buszkiewicz ran under it at the wall, preserving the shut out and getting the Lions back up to hit. The Bremen defense made the plays it had to throughout the contest, allowing Cencelewski to attack with a variety of offerings. Bremen responded in the fifth with another insurance run. Rouch singled to left to lead off the inning, Hickman stole second and then advanced to third on Buszkiewicz' third hit of the game. Alvarado hit a one out fly ball to left, allowing Hickman to tag up and score. Attempting a steal on the play, Buszkiewicz was doubled off first to end the inning, but not before the run crossed the plate, making it 3-0 Bremen heading to the sixth. The insurance run would prove valuable, as Jimtown got one in on a sacrifice bunt to cut the margin back to two, with a runner on second and one out. Cencelewski got the next man to ground out, followed by a strikeout to escape the inning. After a quiet top of the seventh, he retired Jimtown in order, avoiding the top of the Jimmies' lineup and bringing a sectional title to the Mint City. With the win, the 2026 team also notched its 20th victory of the year. The squad also carries the distinction of being both the INSC and Sectional #34 champions for the season. They will take on Bluffton in the regional on Saturday, June 6th (time & location TBD). Monday, June 1st Sectional Championship Bremen 3 Jimtown 1 Hitters LF Zack Buszkiewicz: 3-3, R, RBI C Zack Rouch: 2-3 // CR Maddux Hickman: 2 R, SB SS Aiden Alvarado: 1-2, RBI Pitcher SP JJ Cencelewski: 7.0 IP, W, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K (80P, 59S)