On Tuesday, July 29, the Wagner Post 7319 VFW 14U teeners played host to Elk Point-Jefferson to start their post-season in what was to be a doubleheader but was shortened to a single game due to weather.

Jacob Kotab got the start and tossed a scoreless first inning after allowing just one walk. Wagner would get going right away as they used three hits, a walk, and two errors to plate four runs.

EPJ did answer back in the 2nd as they scored a run on two singles and a stolen base. The key in this game for Wagner was that they kept adding on to their run total every inning. We used two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch to score a run in the second.

After the visitors went down quietly in the 3rd, Wagner added one more run as we scored on a walk, stolen base and an error by the pitcher. We would add another in the 4th as four walks turned into a single run.

We went into the 5th inning with a 7-1 lead but things got a little sticky in that inning as EPJ used three Wagner errors to score three runs and cut the lead to three.

In the bottom half of the inning, Wagner would answer back in a big way, scoring seven runs to end the game 14-4. This was very timely as the clouds were bearing down on Hennies Field. Had the game not ended then and there we would have had to finish up at a later date as the rain and wind cut loose not 15 minutes after the final run was scored.

Jacob Kotab once again did a fantastic job on the mound. He pitched a complete game and allowed four runs, all unearned, on three hits and one walk while striking out five.

Jackson Woods, Ethan Gabel, and Landon Ronfeldt all had two hits with one of Gabel’s being a triple. They each scored twice. Connor Gabel and Colton Zephier had a hit apiece with each driving in two. Ethan Gabel also collected two RBI while Landon Ronfeldt and Jacob Kotab each drove in one. Walks were a big helper also, as EPJ issued 12 free passes. Zephier drew three of those, Kotab, Mason Milk, and Cooper Gene Kuhlman each drew two and Landon Ronfeldt and the Gabel boys each collected one.

In game two of the best of three series we traveled to Elk Point on July 31. The tables were turned on us in this game as EPJ regrouped and came away with the 14-4 victory. Connor Gabel had a rough night as his typical control eluded him. He would give up six earned runs on only two hits, but he did hit five batters and walked two while striking out one. Landon Ronfeldt then came on and had the same problem. He allowed four runs, one earned, on no hits, but he walked five batters and struck out one. Austin DeVries was next up. He allowed two earned runs on two hits while walking four and striking out two. Cooper Slaba faced four batters and allowed two runs, one earned, on a hit and two walks.

At the plate for Wagner, DeVries swung a good bat as he doubled and singled and drove in a run. Ethan Gabel also doubled. Colton Zephier, Landon Ronfeldt, and Tyler Ronfeldt each had one hit. Ruger Loeffler and Mason Milk each drove in one run.

This loss forced the rubber match the same night in Elk Point. The game started out close as Wagner would hold a 2-1 lead after two innings. Wagner would then use walks and errors to score four runs in each of the last three innings to come away with a 14-2 victory. Ethan Gabel was the leader offensively as he had two hits and scored three runs. Jacob Kotab had a key two run, two-out single in the third inning. Landon Ronfeldt singled, scored a run, and knocked one in. Colton Zephier helped his cause by singling and scoring twice.

The key to all these games, as is the case in most 14U games, was the pitcher’s ability, or lack thereof, to throw strikes. In all three games, the winning team had a big advantage in this stat. Zephier did a good job of making them put the ball in play as he only walked one batter in his five innings of work. He allowed two earned runs on five hits to get the complete game win.

We are now off to Clear Lake to take part in the Bravo Division State Tournament which happens this coming August 8-10.