WIAA State Championship: Day 3
June 20, 2022
DIVISION 2 SEMIFINALS:
#4 JEFFERSON vs #1 MOSINEE
After having to cancel their matchup on Wednesday night due to weather, the Jefferson Eagles and Mosinee Indians faced off in the first Division 2 semifinal on Thursday. Because of Wednesday’s cancellation, the game took place at Nienhaus Field, the home of Appleton West High School.
The Indians jumped all over the Eagles in the bottom of the first inning, as they put up four runs to take a 4-0 lead. With the bases-loaded, OF Trevor Garski (2022) launched a grand slam to left field for Mosinee.
Over at Nienhaus Field, the @MosineeBaseball offense exploded for four runs in the first, courtesy of a grand slam over the left-field fence from OF Trevor Garski (2022).
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
The Indians are up 4️⃣-0️⃣ early on. pic.twitter.com/MREQQdjmhs
After scratching across another run in the second inning, Mosinee had a 5-0 lead. But, Jefferson was able to respond in the third, when SS Luis Serrano (2022; Bryant and Stratton commit) had an RBI single.
In the bottom of the second, Mosinee was able to scrape across one more run but Jefferson responded with their first run of the game as SS Luis Serrano (2022; Bryant and Stratton commit) squeaks one to left field to bring home one.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
5️⃣-1️⃣ Mosinee leads, in the third. pic.twitter.com/zngurNX2XK
For the next three innings, the Eagles were able to score at least one run. In the fourth, OF Aiden Behm (2022) had an RBI double, and RHP Tyler Fredrick (2024) plated a run with a single. That cut Mosinee’s lead down to just two after four innings.
Jefferson has cut the lead to two here in the fourth after a RBI double from OF Aiden Behm (2022), starting pitcher RHP Tyler Fredrick (2024) helps his cause as he squeaks one past the third basemen to bring home a run.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Mosinee still leads 5️⃣-3️⃣ thru 4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/BhAevcZeqm
Serrano capped off a 2-for-2 game with a two-run home run which tied the game at 5-5 in the fifth. A fielder’s choice from INF Aidan Kramer (2024) gave Jefferson the lead heading into the seventh. Then, OF Evan Neitzel (2022) made the game-winning diving catch in center field to send Jefferson to the WIAA Division 2 State Championship game.
In the sixth inning INF Aidan Kramer (2024) grounded into a fielders choice to bring home one, giving Jefferson the lead
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Then in the seventh Mosinee was threatening with the tying run on third, but CF Evan Neitzel (2022) made a game saving diving catch to give Jefferson the win pic.twitter.com/qdx01Knanq
Fredrick threw 6 ⅓ quality innings and earned the win for the Eagles. Also, RHP Tyler Butina (2023; Central Michigan) slammed the door and got the save in the final inning for Jefferson.
#3 DENMARK vs #2 PEWAUKEE
The Denmark Vikings, the 2021 WIAA Division 2 State Champions, were looking to repeat for a second consecutive time on Thursday against the Pewaukee Pirates.
The Pirates got out to an early lead in the second inning when UTIL Drew Dobberstein (2025) had an RBI single to right field. Pewaukee then added three more runs in the third inning, with the help of an RBI double from LHP Nick Doubek (2022; UW-Oshkosh commit) and a two-RBI triple from OF Logan Schill (2023) to get out to a 4-0 lead early.
Over at Nienhaus Field, game two of the day features the Pewaukee Pirates vs the Denmark Vikings.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
It’s the Pirates who get on the board first, thanks to a two out single from UTIL Drew Dobberstein (2025)
PKE up 1️⃣-0️⃣ thru 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/UnjgQjCfaG
Denmark got two runs back in the fifth when OF Hayden Konkol (2022; St. Cloud State University) tripled and C Rheis Johnson (2023) grounded out, giving each player an RBI.
Denmark has cut the lead in half here in the fifth. OF Hayden Konkol (2022) got the scoring started with a RBI triple to center. He was later brought home on a ground ball from C Rheis Johnson (2023).
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
PKE still up 4️⃣-2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/9H3zbTaEAm
Pewaukee answered in the bottom of the 5th with two runs of their own. Another triple from Schill and a Denmark error allowed two runs to score for Pewaukee, giving them a 6-2 lead.
The Vikings would erupt in the seventh inning though. After being down four runs, Denmark scored seven in their final inning to give themselves a 9-6 lead. Pewaukee had three errors in the inning, and INF Lucas Miller (2023) had a clutch 2-RBI double to give Denmark the lead.
Going into the final inning, Denmark was down by four runs but after they strung together some clutch hits, highlighted by a two-RBI double from INF Lucas Miller (2023), the Vikings found themself up by three.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
9️⃣-6️⃣ Denmark leads with one half inning left. pic.twitter.com/Jhi9X6hOzO
Pewaukee made a push at the end of the game, but it was not enough as Denmark advanced to the championship game after a 9-8 comeback victory.
DIVISION 4 CHAMPIONSHIP:
#3 BANGOR vs #1 EAU CLAIRE REGIS
Last season, the Regis Ramblers lost their state semifinal matchup but after winning their semifinal matchup the day prior, they looked to bring home a state title. In their State Final game they were matched up against the Bangor Cardinals, a team that defeated #2 Columbus Catholic 9-8 the day before.
The Cardinals continued to stay hot from Wednesday’s performance as they got out to a quick 2-0 lead with the help of an RBI triple from 1B Ashton Michek (2022; Augustana-South Dakota commit) and an RBI single from INF Chase Horstman (2024).
Bangor wasted no time to get on the board. After an RBI triple from INF Ashton Michek (2022; Augustana- SD), INF Chase Horstman (2024) drives him in with an RBI single to right field.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Bangor leads 2️⃣-0️⃣ going into the bottom of the first. pic.twitter.com/CiCC46qrEx
The Ramblers would answer back quickly though. They put up two runs of their own in the first inning, after a couple of walks and a two-RBI single from C Sam Knickerbocker (2023). After one inning of play, the game was tied at 2-2.
C Sam Knickerbocker (2023) stays hot from yesterday, as he drives in two runs with a single. After one inning of play, Regis has tied this game at 2️⃣-2️⃣. pic.twitter.com/8DKZP2E9ot
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
INF Bryce Peterson (2025) got the job done for Bangor in the second inning, as he gave the Cardinals the lead after lining a double into left field, scoring one run.
INF Bryce Peterson (2025) drives in Bangor’s third run of the game with an RBI double. Regis quickly answers in the bottom of the third with two runs, after an infield hit and error.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
4️⃣-3️⃣ Regis leads in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/cZF5ynoDZu
Regis once again responded in the third inning, and got the lead back. A walk, stolen base, and RBI single from OF Zander Rockow (2023) tied the game at 3-3. Rockow then stole two bases and scored on a throwing error from the catcher, giving Regis their first lead of the game.
Once RHP Cooper Dykes (2023) settled in for the Ramblers, the offense was able to break through for Regis. In the fifth inning, the Ramblers put up five runs via a single from OF Payton Loomis (2023) and a 2-out 2-RBI single from OF Alex Leis (2022). That inning put Regis up 9-3 heading into the sixth.
In the bottom on the sixth inning, Regis scores 5 as LF Payton Loomis (2023) shoots a line drive to right field to score 1B Mason Kostka (2022) and CF Alex Leis (2022) follows it up by hitting one up the middle, to bring home two.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Regis now leads 9️⃣-3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/dIml2gzkKS
As Bangor went quiet in the sixth, Regis responded with three more runs of their own. A double from both Rockow and DH Matt Vesperman (2022) extended the Ramblers’ lead to 12-3.
Two quality innings from RHP Patrick Callaghan (2023) and a WIAA state record of 15 stolen bases helped officially make Regis the WIAA Division 4 State Champion. They finished their season with a record of 23-1, and Bangor ended at 22-6.
RHP Patrick Callaghan (2023) finishes a stress free final inning as he gets the final out via a fly out as Regis wins 12-3. With the win, Regis is crowned WIAA D4 State Champions. pic.twitter.com/2p6DtENDKl
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP:
#4 CUBA CITY vs #2 ST. CROIX FALLS
In the second game of the day, 8-seed Cuba City faced 4-seed St. Croix Falls for a heated D3 championship.
This game started out quick, as a very aggressive Cuba City scored two right away in the first inning, as clean up hitter, OF Jackson Soja (2022) lined a two-RBI single into right field.
Cuba City jumps on St. Croix Falls right away as OF Jackson Soja (2022) lines an 2-RBI single into right field.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Cubs City leads 2️⃣-0️⃣ early. pic.twitter.com/CaO2GKZQ30
St. Croix matched the energy and also started off aggressive, looking to match Cuba City’s offense in the bottom of the first. 1B Brady Belisle (2023) hit a hard RBI single to right field, bringing home C Adrian Scott (2022) from second. While St. Croix didn’t tie the game here, they cut the lead to one.
Bottom of the first, St. Croix puts a run of their own on the board to combat Cuba City’s two run first inning. 1B Brady Belisle (2023) drives one out to right field to score C Adrian Scott (2022), who had a clutch double down the left field line. pic.twitter.com/2VcqA1F9CS
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Both teams added a run in the second inning as CF Will Busch (2023) had an RBI single for the Cubans, making the lead 3-1. In the bottom of the second, leadoff hitter, 2B Oliver Schmidt (2022) had a solid RBI single to right center field, bringing the Saints one run closer at 3-2 and the end of two.
Belisle was clutch for the Knights, scoring two of their four runs. In the third, Belisle tied the game up with a huge RBI triple, scoring SS Brayden Olson (2023). Following his big triple, CF Tyler Olson (2023) sent a fly ball to center field to score Belisle easily, allowing St. Croix to grab the lead for the first time in the game, 4-3.
SCF grabs the lead in the third due to a triple from INF Brady Belisle (2023) to tie the game at 3. Then, OF Tyler Olson (2023) sends a fly ball to center field to score Belisle.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
SCF leads 4️⃣-3️⃣ thru 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/4nxumn3oDt
After the third inning, scoring was all Cuba City. In the fifth, they scored three to give them a more comfortable lead. Soja drove in his second run of the day to tie the game up. Following right after, OF Max Lucey (2023) took advantage of the bases being loaded, and shot a two-RBI single into left field.
The Cubans put up two more runs in the sixth, on a pass ball and a bases-loaded walk, giving them a 8-4 lead late in the game.In the 5th, OF Max Lucey (2023) shoots a bases-loaded two-RBI single into left field. Cuba City added a run before that, and have now taken a 6️⃣-4️⃣ lead. pic.twitter.com/M83IOxBcni
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
RHP Blake Bussan (2022) was the winning pitcher and starter for the Cubans, pitching 6.2 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. RHP Mason Reese (2022) came in for the final out of the game, after Bussan hit the pitch maximum pitch count.
Cuba City had a no-stress final inning, to give them their first state championship in only their second appearance in school history.
In a no-stress, 3up-3down final inning, RHP Blake Bussan (2022) pitches up until his pitch count, twirling a gem over his 6.2 innings. RHP Mason Reese (2022) would then come in for one batter to secure the clutch final out for D3 State Champions Cuba City. pic.twitter.com/PDnTowcBgf
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
DIvISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP:
#4 JEFFERSON vs #3 DENMARK
The nightcap and final game of the WIAA season ended with a thriller between the Jefferson Eagles and the Denmark Vikings. This game was a rematch of last year’s WIAA Division 2 Championship, as Denmark got a 4-1 win over Jefferson. In the semifinals, both teams were able to make comeback victories over the higher seeds that they were facing.
The Vikings looked to repeat as champions, as they threw RHP Owen DeGrand (2022; College of Lake County commit). The Eagles countered with RHP Drew Peterson (2024).
Denmark was able to tack on one run in the first three innings of play. C Rheis Johnson (2023) got the evening started with an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st, giving the Vikings a quick 1-0 lead.
The Vikings wasted no time as C Rheis Johnson (2023) gets Denmark on the board here in the first, with a single to left field.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Denmark-1️⃣ Jefferson-0️⃣ ⬇️2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/HCDlHrhATT
After scoring another run in the second via an error, Denmark added one more run in the third with the help of a leadoff triple from OF Hayden Konkol (2022; St. Cloud State University). He was driven in by Johnson, who had a RBI groundout to the shortstop.
Before that though, Jefferson was able to tie the game at 2-2 due to a monster home run from 1B Tyler Butina (2023; Central Michigan). Butina sent a 2-run shot to the deepest part of Fox Cities Stadium, allowing the Eagles to get some momentum back.
After allowing one more, Jefferson scored two of their own, courtesy of two-run home run to the deepest part of the park from 1B Tyler Butina (2023; Central Michigan commit)
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 17, 2022
Jefferson-2️⃣ Denmark-2️⃣ ⬆️3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/vAtTimqWLh
In the 4th, Jefferson got their first lead of the game. Two hit batters, an error, and an RBI single from OF Evan Neitzel (2022) gave the Eagles a 4-3 lead. Jefferson dropped down two bunts in the inning, which helped them wreak havoc on the basepaths.
In the bottom of the fifth, Denmark responded with two runs of their own, as two singles and an RBI groundout from Konkol got the Vikings their lead back at 5-4.
After some back-and-forth action, Denmark grabbed a one run lead as OF Hayden Konkol (2022; St. Cloud State commit) drove in a run a run on a ground out.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 17, 2022
Denmark-5️⃣ Jefferson-4️⃣ thru 5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/iZZQpxGqnW
In this back-and-forth affair, Jefferson once again came back and tied the game at 5-5 due to an RBI double from OF Aiden Devine (2022). Denmark was able to limit the damage though as a relay of OF Nolan Perry (2023) and INF Lucas Miller (2023) allowed the game to remain tied.
Jefferson responded quickly as OF Aiden Devine (2022) ripped a XBH into the gap that brought home one. But RF Nolan Perry (2023) and 2B Lucas Miller (2023) would combine to throw out a runner at home to keep this game tied at 5️⃣ in the sixth. pic.twitter.com/eRbNskrWCU
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 17, 2022
Denmark and Jefferson could not plate a run in their next innings, which led the tied ballgame into the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back singles from Denmark’s SS Abe Kapinos (2022) and OF Ethan Ovsak (2023) set up Konkol once again. Konkol drove a double to deep right field, capping off a 3-RBI day for him, and giving the Vikings their second straight WIAA Division 2 Championship with a 6-5 victory.
With the game tied, OF Hayden Konkol (2022; St. Cloud State commit) delivered the biggest hit of the season for Denmark, a XBH over the right-fielders head and brought home the winning run. With the win, Denmark is crowned D2 State Champions, defending last years title. pic.twitter.com/IZI7UtziOW
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 17, 2022
Denmark finished another successful season with a 24-3 record, and Jefferson did the same with a 24-8 record.
DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP:
#8 BAY PORT vs #6 MILTON
After having to switch time slots with the D2 championship due to Wednesday nights weather, #6 Milton matched up with #8 Bay Port for the D1 championship.
Milton got out to a big lead early, batting 11 hitters and scoring six runs in the first inning. To put the first run on the board, SS Gavin Kilen (2022; Louisville commit) shot a line-drive single to left center, scoring 2B Jack Campion (2022) from second.
In the D1 Final, Milton got out to a big lead early as INF Gavin Kilen (2022; Louisville commit) and INF Jordan Bundy (2024) got the scoring started with RBI singles. The Red Hawks then batted 11 hitters en route to a six-run first inning
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Milton lead 7️⃣-0️⃣ thru 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/uYzStwkGkK
The Red Hawks took advantage of struggles from Bay Port’s pitching and defensive throwing errors, scoring two runs on wild pitches, and one on a throwing error in the first.
After getting out to a 6-0 lead, Red Hawks pitching dominated, keeping Bay Port to minimal hits. RHP Michael Birkhimer (2022) started for Milton, collecting five strikeouts, five hits, zero walks, and one run in four innings pitched.
On the mound for Milton RHP Michael Birkhimer (2022) twirled a gem over his four innings of work, striking out five and allowing just one run to lead Milton to their first State Championship in school history. https://t.co/04sbwiVq3Y pic.twitter.com/qx33y2c0Hr
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
The Red Hawks kept the innings quick defensively, only letting four batters hit in the first, followed by a three up-three down second and third inning.
While the entire Milton lineup had an outstanding game offensively, DH Broden Jackson (2024) had an exceptional game, going 3-for-3, and racking up three-RBIs, contributing heavily to the Red Hawks lead.
The Red Hawks keep the hitting going as DH Broden Jackson (2024) drives one just past the shortstop, bringing in C Alec Campbell (2022) en route to their seven-run lead. pic.twitter.com/344VRkRJnI
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022
Bay Port made an attempt to come back in the fifth inning, when they found themselves with the bases loaded. C/OF Austin Holton (2022) singled to center field, bringing in OF/C Isaiah Grimm (2022; Marian). The Pirates could not bring any more runs in, getting three outs in a row following Holton’s RBI, ending the inning with three on base.
Milton finished it off early in the fifth inning, run-ruling Bayport on a walk-off walk with the bases loaded. That gave Milton their first state championship in school history in dominant fashion.
It was an up and down season for the Red Hawks, rising all the way up to the No. 3 in our Power 25 rankings early on in the season but finishing the regular season unranked.
Nonetheless, the talent Milton possessed was apparent as they started the season in the No. 6 and they seemed to play their best baseball when it mattered, bringing a state trophy to Milton for the first time in school history.
After some confusion, the Milton Red Hawks are crowned WIAA D1 State Champions. Milton’s potent offense exploded for 11 runs on 11 hits as they took down Bay Port in the five-inning game. pic.twitter.com/l9PMYQ66lp
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) June 16, 2022