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Rains favor Rockets as Neenah disposes of De Pere 8-0

June 5, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin

Neenah 8, De Pere 0

KAUKAUNA, WI – In game two of the Kaukauna Sectional a pair of underdogs matched up for the chance to face Kimberly in the Sectional Final. No. 11 seed Neenah had shocked Appleton North in the Regional Final while De Pere did the same to No. 2 seed Hortonville.

The Neenah Rockets had toyed around with the idea of saving their ace and No.1 ranked 2015 Connor Wollersheim for a possible Sectional Final game, but the Rockets thought better of it and knew in order to keep this improbable run going, they would have to get there first.

Amongst the constant rain fall throughout the day and with Neenah’s ace lefty on the mound it was clear from the get go that De Pere was in for a long day. After Neenah scored three runs in the first inning and Wollersheim tallying four strikeouts through his first two frames the Rockets looked in complete control.

Neenah scored three more in the third thanks to a couple De Pere defensive miscues. With the rain continuing to fall and the grounds crew tirelessly working nearly every half inning, word began to buzz around the Kaukauna Athletic Complex that the Sectional Final (third game of the day) would be postponed until Thursday due to the wet playing conditions.

With a six run cushion and yet to allow a hit, Wollersheim trotted out for his fourth inning of work when he was called back to the dugout and replaced by fellow sophomore Brett Grafmeier. With a Sectional Final now on Thursday a bold move by Coach Piepenbrink could put the Rockets in prime position to get to Appleton. Grafmeier did his job and surrendered just one hit the rest of the way capping off the 8-0 shutout and a date with Kimberly in the Sectional Final on Thursday.

Coach Piepenbrink should have his ace Wollersheim rested and ready for Thursday’s Sectional Title game which will give the unlikely Neenah Rockets as good a chance as any to punch their ticket to Appleton for next week’s State Tournament.

Check the Wisconsin Scouting Blog for scout notes on this game and more

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