Typhoon heads into Regionals on high note

SHAWANO — The Antigo American Legion baseball team played a rain-shortened game at Shawano on Monday night in what was the regular season finale for both teams.

While things were called when the skies opened up in the fifth inning, it was enough for an official game and a 3-0 Antigo win, ending a four-game losing streak for the Typhoon and sending the team into the postseason on a high note.

Antigo pitchers Alec Knapkavage and Hunter Aiuppy combined on the shutout. Knapkavage went the first three innings and allowed just two hits. He walked a pair and struck out a pair. Aiuppy pitched the fourth, allowing a lone base hit.

“It was a good way to end the regular season on a high note,” head coach Alex Heiny said. “Alec gave us a great start on the mound and Hunter was very efficient, recording three outs on eight pitches.”

The Typhoon meanwhile, was able to overcome a fairly strong start from Shawano’s Anderson Schmidt, who went the distance, allowing all three Antigo runs, but only two earned on four hits. He walked four and struck out four.

The game was scoreless until the third, when Antigo broke through against Schmidt. The damage came with two outs, as Mason Gray drew a walk and came around to score after several passed balls.

In the fifth, the Tyhpoon scored twice before the rains came. Trevor Tarras and Grant Praslowicz delivered one-out singles, and Mason Gray followed with a two-run double for the 3-0 lead.

It appeared the damage may have been worse if not for the stoppage, as Gordon Lucht drew a walk and Knapkavage was hit by a pitch to load the bases when umpires called for the stoppage.

Praslowicz led the Antigo lineup with a 2-for-3 game. Gray reached base in all three of his at-bats, with two walks in addition to his double.

Shawano’s three hits came courtesy of Schmidt, Warner Beyer and Carsen Herm.

Antigo finishes the regular season 6-13 overall and will now prepare to open Class AA regional play on Friday in New London against the host team. That contest is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start.

It may not be the last time Antigo see Shawano this season, as Shawano and Waupaca will also compete in the double elimination tournament. Their game precedes the Antigo-New London game at 5:30. The winners and losers of those contests will meet on Saturday, with play continuing through Sunday.

It’s an opportunity for Post 3 to put what was a disappointing regular season behind it.

“We know Shawano is a good team and while we didn’t play New London or Waupaca, we know neither one of them are an easy out,” Heiny explained. “As long as we play a clean game, limit the walks and errors, I feel we have just as good a chance to make it to State as the other three teams.”

The Class AA State Tournament is set for August 2nd through the 6th in West Salem.

Scoring Summary

Antigo 3, Shawano 0

Monday, July 22, 2024

Antigo 0 0 1 0 2 x x- 3 4 0

Shawano 0 0 0 0 x x x- 0 4 1

Batting-

Antigo- Trevor Tarras 1-3, R; Grant Praslowicz 2-3, R; Mason Gray 1-1, R, 2 BB, 2B, 2 RBI; Gordon Lucht 0-1, 2 BB, K; Alec Knapkavage 0-1, HBP, K; Ben Robrecht 0-2; Wyatt Krause 0-2; Javon Bussey 0-2, K; Gunnar Roth 0-2

Shawano- Warner Beyer 1-2, 2B; Anderson Schmidt 1-2: Carsen Herm 1-2; Crew Weisnicht 0-2; Dylan Hodkiewicz 0-1, BB; Thomas Keszo 0-1, BB; Jerzy Brocker 0-1; Parker Beyer 0-1, K; Dane Hodkiewicz 0-1, K

Pitching-

Antigo- Alec Knapkavage W, 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K; Hunter Aiuppy IP, H

Shawano- Anderson Schmidt L, 4 1/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K