Hoppers edge Viroqua in 10 innings
Prairie’s Blake Bremmer rounds third and heads for home to score the Hoppers’ first run. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Grant Martin takes a good lead versus Viroqua in their regional opener on a sweltering Friday night.
Blake Bremmer dives back to first base ahead of the tag on a pick-off attempt.
The Hoppers’ Cory Check gets ready to unleash a pitch against Viroqua Friday night.
The Prairie du Chien Grasshoppers American Legion baseball team ran off with the lead late in the game in a 2-1 victory over Viroqua on a sweltering Friday night. The game was tied at one with Prairie du Chien batting in the top of the 10th when Drake Coleman doubled on a 3-2 count, scoring what turned out to be the winning run.
The pitching was strong on both sides. Prairie du Chien pitchers struck out six, while Viroqua pitchers sat down 16.
The Hoppers fired up the offense in the third inning, when Grant Martin singled on a 3-1 count, scoring Blake Bremmer.
Viroqua knotted the game up at one in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mason Skrede’s sac fly scored the run for Viroqua.
Clayton DuCharme was credited with the victory for Prairie du Chien. He lasted two and a third innings, allowing two hits and no runs while walking one. Ryan McGrath threw one and two-thirds innings in relief. Cory Check started the game for the Hoppers. He allowed four hits and one run over six innings, striking out five.
Hunter Vikemyr took the loss for Viroqua. He went three and a third innings, allowing one run on one hit, striking out five and walking one. Aaron Huebsch started the game for Viroqua. He allowed three hits and one run over six and two-thirds innings, striking out 11.
Martin led the Hoppers with two hits in five at bats.
Andrew Wedwick went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Viroqua in hits.
