Sophomore Russ Williams pitches middle relief in the 5th inning.

Thelen, Nichols, Blaschko With Timely Hitting- Two Hits Each
Blaschko Single Ties It; Eddie Boelter Gets Balk RBI For Win

The Lakeville South Cougars came from behind for the third time in as many weeks for a nail-biting win, this time 7-8 over Woodbury at Cougar Field.

Junior Ross Thelen led the way for the Cougars with a 3 for 4 night at the plate and also had two RBIs.

Another big contributor was junior Alex Nichols, who had a good night in the infield at 2nd base and also at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 1 RBI, plus scoring a run.

Sophomore Adam Blaschko also had a very good night at the plate by going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

The Cougars were trailing by a score of 7-5 as they entered the bottom of the 6th. Alex Nichols led off the inning with a single up the middle. Nick Daniels flew out to right field before Ross Thelen ripped his third hit of the game down the 3rd base line. With runners at the corners Alex Messick hit a drive down the left field line that scored Alex Nichols. With runners at 2nd and 3rd, Adam Blaschko then came to the plate and battled to a full count before also blasting a drive down the left field line that scored Joe Hopkins, pinch running for Thelen, tying the game at seven runs each. Eric Watts flew out to the shortstop for the 2nd out of the inning. Eddie Boelter then struck out to end the inning, but not before being credited with the eventual winning RBI on a balk while he was at the plate. Alex Messick scored the winning run on the play.

Juniors Nick Daniels and Jose Martinez both also had two hits apiece. Daniels was 2 for 4 in the game with a run scored and Martinez was 2 for 5 with a run scored. Martinez extended his hitting streak to six games in a row.

Mick Wald started the game for the Cougars and pitched four innings while striking out four batters.

Pitching coach Jake Groff talks the situation over with pitcher
Mick Wald and catcher Marlon Amaro during Woodbury game.

Sophomore pitcher Russ Williams came on to pitch the 5th and 6th and did a great job, facing only four batters in each inning. Williams gave up a hit and picked up a strikeout in each inning.

In the 7th inning Williams faced one batter before giving way to Blake Nicols, who also pitched well and set the next three batters down 1-2-3 as the Cougars wrapped up their 5th win.

The Cougars out-hit Woodbury 12 hits to 8.

Leading hitters for the Cougars were...

Ross Thelen...  3 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Alex Nichols... 2 for 2 with 1 RBI, plus scored a run.

Nick Daniels... 2 for 4, plus scored a run.

Adam Blaschko... 2 for 4 with 1 RBI.

Jose Martinez... 2 for 5, plus scored a run.

Alex Messick... 1 for 2 with 1 RBI, plus scored game winning run.

Forrest Brown... 1 for 2.

Eric Watts... 1 for 2 with 1 RBI.

Eddie Boelter walked twice and scored a run.

Joey Novak was hit by a pitch in the 3rd and also scored a run.

Donnie Sullivan pinch ran in the 3rd and 5th innings and had one stolen base in each. He also scored in the 5th.

Joe Hopkins pinch ran for Thelen in the 6th and scored the tying run for the game.

The Cougars host Jefferson on Wednesday night, but will play on the Elko field due to the 7:00 start time and the need for lights.

The Cougars are now 5-8 on the season.

Coach Zeise making one of many substitutions on the day.