A’s Fall Short in Extra-Inning Marathon Against Sussex
Posted: May 30, 2024
The Sheboygan A’s put up a fierce fight on Wednesday at Wildwood Park, but ultimately fell to the Sussex Cardinals in a high-scoring, four hour and eleven minute showdown, 16-12 in 12 innings.
Despite collecting 13 hits, the A’s couldn’t overcome the Cardinals’ 15-hit offensive display.
The game saw Sussex strike first in the second inning with a groundout that brought in a run. They continued to build their lead in the third inning with additional runs scored on a walk and a sacrifice fly. They would continue to tack on runs to the tune of a 6-0 lead entering the bottom half of the sixth when the A’s offense finally came alive.
The A’s would score six in the sixth, tying the game through a hit by pitch, a walk by Chase Hanselmann, a two-RBI single by Jason Sims, and another hit by pitch.
Entering the first of three extra innings, the two teams agreed to use the new California rule, starting the inning with a runner on second base. Sussex regained the lead with a double in the tenth, butt he A’s responded in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly by Brady Zackrison, leveling the score at seven apiece.
The Cardinals surged ahead again in the eleventh inning with a series of hits and a sacrifice fly, but the A’s demonstrated resilience, tying the game once more thanks to doubles by Ben Buehring and Hanselmann, and a single by Jacob Neese.
The twelfth inning proved decisive. Sussex scored five runs on one hit, highlighted by a three-run double, pushing the score to 16-11. The A’s managed to add one more run in their half but fell short in their comeback attempt.
On the mound, Nate Stephany delivered four solid innings in relief for the A’s, allowing only four hits and one run while striking out five. Starter Hunter Netzler gave up five hits and five runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out three.
Offensively, the A’s showcased some depth with Neese, Zackrison, Gus Walker, Sims, Hanselmann, and Buehring each collecting two hits. Hanselmann led with three RBIs, while Jimmy Juergensen drew three walks. The A’s exhibited patience at the plate, earning 15 walks overall and stealing eight bases, with Walker and Sims each swiping multiple bags.
The A’s are back home Thursday for another non-league game against the Denmark Devilbears at 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now.
The Sheboygan A's are members of the Wisconsin State League and Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League. The A's have helped develop more than 43 players that have reached professional baseball, including 2002 World Series Champion Jarrod Washburn (Anaheim Angels). All Sheboygan A's home games are played at Wildwood Baseball Park in Sheboygan. Connect with the A's on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
