For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield Chaparrals ended their 2020 summer baseball season the same way they did last year, participating in the Wisconsin Baseball Association state tournament. The Chaps earned a berth in the 12-team tournament by claiming the Dairyland League championship with a win over Everest on Aug. 9 at Jack Hackman Field in Marshfield.

In their first game of the tournament, Aug.15 at Spooner, the Chaps defeated the Tony Hayshakers 6-2.

Caleb Krommenakker went 2-for-4 with two base hits and a pair of strikeouts, on Aug. 15. HCT staff photo

Caleb Krommenakker tossed a complete-game win for Marshfield. He threw 137 pitches over nine innings of work, allowing just two earned runs on three hits in the first inning, then throwing a three-hit shutout over the next eight innings. Caleb also struck out seven batters and walked only four.

Offensively for Marshfield, Caleb and his brother Nathan Krommenakker scored all six runs. Nathan led the way with four singles, a walk and four runs scored. Caleb added a two-run home run and two runs scored.

Luke Wirtz also singled and doubled, and Jason Kurth and Victor Gonzalez each had an RBI and a base hit in the win.

After giving up an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Chaparrals scored six unanswered runs.

The victory celebration was short lived; however, as Marshfield exited the tournament almost as quickly as they had advanced.

After storms on Aug.14 forced Marshfield to play its first-round game early Saturday morning, the Chaps had to then turn right around and play their second game that night against the Viroqua Sox. But they were sharp defensively and starting pitcher Hunter Korger was on point. He took a two-hit shutout into the seventh inning, before the Sox tied the game at one apiece.

The Chaps had secured a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning, on an RBI single by Nathan Krommenakker that scored new Marshfield shortstop Trent Woebekking, who had walked to lead off the inning.

The Sox tied the game in the top of the seventh on an RBI groundout by Andrew Klieber. Then in the top of the eighth inning, the defense and pitching that were so solid for the first seven innings broke down.

Korger gave up two base hits and a walk to start the inning. Damian Wiblin then scored on an error at home plate as Josh Thiede reached on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded. A throw to catcher Shawn O’Connell at home plate popped into and quickly out of his catcher’s mit, allowing Wiblin to score from third base.

Mason Skrede then scored on a sacrifice fly by Clayton Slack. Jaret Sullivan and Brett Skrede then reached on back-to-back errors, as another run scored as well.

A three-run eighth inning ended Korger’s night on the mound.

Bobby Pilz came in to pitch the ninth, and the Sox quickly tagged him for two more earned runs on three hits to put the game away, and send the Chaps home for the season.

Korger gave up four runs – three of them earned – on five hits over eight innings. He also struck out six and walked four.

Viroqua’s Gavin Gillitzer got the complete-game win. He allowed just one earned run on seven hits while walking two and striking out 13 batters.

Nathan Krommenakker had the lone RBI for Marshfield. He went 2-for-5 with two singles and a strikeout. Caleb Krommenakker went 2-for-4 with two base hits and a pair of strikeouts. Wirtz, Kurth, and O’Connell each added base hits, as Marshfield ended its season 17-4.