One run

Matt Middendorf watches his hit sail into center field, good for a single in the bottom of the third inning. He later scored Elrosa's first run of the game against New Munich.

One run was the difference this afternoon as New Munich defeated the Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team 3 to 2 in the division championship game this afternoon. The Silverstreaks, aided by a stellar complete-game effort by starter Jim Thull, scored two runs in the first inning and added to it in the second.

In the bottom of the second, Kevin Kuefler and AJ Hadley both had back-to-back two-out singles. Thull got out unscathed with the next play being an unassisted put out at third base on the force out.

In the bottom of the third, the Saints got back-to-back one out singles by Matt Middendorf and Matt Schmitz. On Schmitz's single, both runners got an extra base on a would-be put out throw. Cody Eichers then hit a shot to first base, and the ball slipped through Ty Reller's glove and bounced into the outfield on the right line. Middendorf and Schmitz both scored on the play. New Munich's lead stood up, though, after the Silverstreaks got a double play on a fly ball to right field and then a tag out on Eichers.

Elrosa had a threat going in the fourth with leadoff singles by Ethan Vogt and Kevin Kuefler. AJ Hadley sacrifice bunted, but then James Kuefler hit a fielder's choice to the third baseman. The play was a 5-2 put out throw at home to get Vogt, and the next batter was out on a ground ball play to first.

In the bottom of the sixth, Austen Hadley hit a leadoff, stand up double. He was left stranded on two ground balls and a fly out to right field.

New Munich earned a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the eighth after Matt Schmitz hit a leadoff single.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kevin Kuefler launched a triple that sailed over the glove of New Munich's centerfielder. AJ Hadley then earned a walk to put runners on the corners. James Kuefler and Pat Illies were the next batters, and both hit hard shots towards the shortstop, but both were snagged for fly balls to end the game.

Starter Aaron Vogt pitched a marvelous game, going eight innings before being relieved in the ninth by Austin Imdieke.

Below is video from the player introductions today:

*Elrosa opens the Region 15C tournament on Friday night, August 4 at 8 p.m. in Farming. They will take on the runner-up out of the County Line League. Spread the word!!!

Draftees for SCL-North teams: Elrosa picked up Austin Schoenberg from Spring Hill for the region tournament; New Munich grabbed Brandon Worms of Greenwald, and Meire Grove drafted Jordan Welle of Spring Hill.

In other Sunday amateur baseball games:
Regal qualified for Region 15C with a 2-0 win over Norway Lake-Sunburg in the County Line League. The Eagles now take on New London-Spicer in the championship game.

Richmond beat Lake Henry 6-3 in the SCL-South championship game.

Other games are in progress.

*Updates: Meire Grove won 7-4 to end Spring Hill's season. Regal lost 8-1 to New London-Spicer and advances to regions as the County Line League's No. 2 seed.