Padres Split In Saturday Road Action

June 11

By Max Mercy

EXELAND, Wis. — The Duluth Padres defeated the Blooming Valley Blue Devils 4-3 in their first game and lost to the Exeland Braves 10-3 in their second game in a three-team round-robin tournament in Exeland, Wis. Both games were non-league and lasted seven innings.

Duluth reliever Keith Gunderson came on to pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and induced a ground out for the save against Blooming Valley. Gunderson relived winning pitcher Nathan Windschill (2-0, 3.86 ERA), who had allowed one run on a single, two walks, and a hit batsman in the seventh.

Windschill blew a save opportunity by allowing a run in the sixth inning. He worked in relief of starting pitcher Anthony Bush. Bush pitched five innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits and zero walks. He had four strikeouts and left with a 2-1 lead.

Blooming Valley scored a run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead on a single and two errors.

Duluth tied the score at 1-1 in the third inning when Nick Moran reached on an error, stole second and third, and scored on an RBI groundout by Corey Pavlich. Duluth took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Pavlich singled, advanced to third base on a single by Bob Eastman, and scored on Bob Baxton’s sacrifice fly.

The Blue Devils tied the score with a run in the sixth on two hits and two walks.

Duluth took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Kevin Olson led off with a walk and stole second and third. Olson scored on an RBI single by Windschill, who took second base on an outfield fielding error. Windschill moved to third on Don Miller’s sacrifice bunt and scored on a double by Nick Moran.

Moran, Gunderson, and Bob Eastman had two hits apiece for Duluth.

The Exeland Braves took advantage of the 10 hits and 14 walks allowed by Duluth to win the second game. Pavlich, Gunderson, and Noah Hobbs had two hits each for Duluth. Gunderson (1-1, 3.60 ERA) picked up the loss in relief of starter Jake Lambert.

Exeland also defeated Blooming Valley 10-0.

The Padres are back in action on Sunday against the Marinesco Milltowners at Bulldog Park in an Upper 13 League game. The game will begin at 1:30 p.m.

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