Never-ending game

The Minocqua Post 89 American Legion baseball team won its season opener in a game that featured 36 total runs and lasted approximately four hours Monday.

The 89ers beat Tomahawk 19-17 at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field in Tomahawk. 

Michael Blohm hits a two-run single in the third inning of the American Legion baseball opener against Tomahawk Monday, June 15 at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field in Tomahawk. Blohm tied a game high with four RBIs.
(Photo by Brett LaBore/Lakeland Times)

In a game that featured 29 hits, 27 walks and seven errors, the 89ers prevailed in a comeback win.

“It’s great,” Minocqua coach William Poupart said. “Start of the year, our first game, a great team win. Everyone was in it from the beginning to the end. We faced some adversity about midway through. We made some in-game adjustments, and our guys came through when we needed them to come through.”

Tomahawk scored 12 unanswered runs to take a 13-7 lead after five innings. They batted around and scored seven runs in the fifth inning alone.

“We were going through our pitchers, trying to figure out who’s who,” Poupart said. “We were limited on our practices so far this season. And it’s just great to see these guys come together over this one game, and hopefully our momentum can carry on through the rest of the year.”

After giving up seven runs, the 89ers responded with an eight-run top of the sixth inning.

Minocqua (1-0) took advantage of walks and hit-by-pitches in the top of the sixth. Cooper Johnson drew an RBI walk before Merick Trotter scored on a wild pitch. Then, Gabe Karch and Garrison Jacques drew back-to-back RBI walks to bring Minocqua within two runs.

Tomahawk switched pitchers, but the 89ers kept scoring. This time, Jack Stella scored on a wild pitch. Landyn Kropidlowski tied the game with an RBI fielder’s choice. Jeffrey Bolton gave Minocqua the lead with an RBI sacrifice fly. Michael Blohm extended Minocqua’s lead with an RBI single.

Minocqua led 15-13 going to the bottom of the sixth inning.

Tomahawk showed no signs of quit. Johnson was on the mound for Minocqua to begin the bottom of the sixth inning. Tomahawk tied the game at 15-15 with a two-run double. Johnson stranded two runners by inducing a pop-up.

The 89ers took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Stella started things off with a bunt single. Karch hit an RBI triple before Nat Decora delivered a single and RBI. Karch went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

Kropidlowski added to his outing with a long RBI single to right field. He had a team-high four runs scored and tied Blohm with a game-high four RBIs. With two outs, Blohm picked up his third hit of the game and fourth RBI to make it 19-15, Minocqua’s lead. 

“So in the beginning, (the offense was) a little slow,” Poupart said. “Both sides were though. We played some good defense all throughout. There was some touchy spots with errors on our end, but then they also had their shares, but when we put them in positions to succeed, they succeeded, and that is a great feeling as a coach. You’re able to trust your decision, and trust your guys, and they pulled through.”

Merick Trotter slides into home plate safely in the sixth inning of the American Legion baseball opener against Tomahawk Monday, June 15 at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field in Tomahawk.
(Photo by Brett LaBore/Lakeland Times)

The bottom of the seventh featured two more Tomahawk runs. Johnson retired the first two batters, but then four straight Tomahawk players reached base, scoring two runs. Johnson struck out the final batter to give Minocqua the season-opening win.

Johnson, a Lakeland Union High School Class of 2025 graduate, pitched three innings, giving up nine hits, seven runs, all earned, and three walks with five strikeouts, earning the win.

“Them older guys, the alumni, we kind of look to them for leadership, our graduating seniors this year as well, leadership, and we were just so fortunate to have them guys here,” Poupart said. “All the baseball they’ve been able to play, and then Cooper just said, ‘Yeah, I can pitch,’ and I said, ‘Alright, we’re going to ride you till the wheels fall off bud.’ I’m just proud of him.”

Blohm made a big impact in his 89er debut. He hit a two-run single to open up the scoring in the top of the third inning, one of his three hits on the day.

The 89ers led 7-1 after their half of the fourth inning. Taitum Bauman walked, and Max Keuer singled. Karch delivered an RBI hit. Later on, both Kropidlowski and Bolton drove home runs to boost Minocqua’s lead.

Keuer started on the mound for the 89ers. He pitched three innings, giving up two hits, one unearned run and six walks with three strikeouts. He stranded seven Tomahawk runners. Noah Peterson and Landon Gray-Ives also pitched for Minocqua.

“So we are limited on pitch counts,” Poupart said. “Again, limited on practice, kind of just going by hearsay on who can pitch. We did have access to the high school’s GameChanger and all, but they kind of primarily used two guys for the season, their workhorses. It was just kind of a touch-and-go for a minute. From what we did in practice, we had faith in our boys to play defense, and whoever we threw out there, we were going to back them up.”

The 89ers made their home debut Wednesday against Park Falls. Coverage of this game will be in the Tuesday, June 23 edition of The Lakeland Times.

Up next, Minocqua will play Medford on Monday, June 22. The game will take place at 7 p.m. at Jaycee Field in Medford. 

“We actually had a team meeting, Sunday evening,” Poupart said. “I believe we had nine boys that made it to that meeting. So that shows their dedication. As long as we keep that dedication up, and they are also making our practices. It’s kind of tough. Everyone’s got a work schedule, and it’s summer, so the boys want to go out and have some fun, but I believe we got some dogs in our hands that are going to put in some hard work, and we should be able to roll through here.”

Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].