Utica home talent closes out regular season with win against Albion, loss to Fort Atkinson; will face Fort in playoffs

The Utica Association closed out the Sunday League Home Talent regular season with a 2-1 loss to Fort Atkinson on Sunday, July 28 at Utica Field.

Entering the bottom of the ninth inning trailing the Generals 2-0, Utica started a rally when Ethan Yahn and Saxton Shore reached base on back-to-back singles.

Rowan Shore then grounded into a fielder’s choice to put runners at the corners with one out.

Carson Knapp, who pinch ran for Rowan Shore, stole second base. During the steal, Fort Atkinson catcher Jake Hansen committed an error, allowing Yahn to score on the throw and Knapp also moved to third base.

With the tying run at third place, Utica could not score Knapp as Fort Atkinson pitcher Josh Crandall recorded a pop out and a fly out to close out the 2-1 win for the Generals.

Fort Atkinson scored both of its runs in the sixth when Conner Kienbaum reached on an error that scored Hansen and Branden Zastrow.

Austin Paul earned the win for the Generals, pitching seven innings with eight strikeouts and five hits allowed.

Brock Wanninger took the loss for Utica, pitching 7 1/3 innings with five strikeouts. Wanninger allowed eight hits and gave up two unearned runs. Owen Ernest added 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one hit.

Utica finishes the regular season in first place in the Southeast South standings with a record of 11-3.

The Association and Generals will face off in the first round of the Southeast Section playoffs on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. at Utica Field.

The winner of that game will face the winner of Cambridge/Evansville in the Southeast Section Final on Sunday, Aug. 11. The winner of the sectional final will advance to the Home Talent Round Robin Tournament.

Utica 5, Albion 1

The Utica Association scored a 5-1 win over the Albion Tigers on Saturday, July 27 at Utica Field.

Liam Punzel pitched a complete game for the A’s, throwing nine strikeouts in the win. Punzel allowed seven hits, issued four walks and gave up one earned run.

For the A’s, Ben Hildebrandt recorded two RBIs, while Brock Wanninger, Derek Karlen and Ryan Ellingson each drove in a run. Wanninger and Ellingson both had two hits for the offense.

Southeast Section

Final Standings

Y — — Clinched Division

X — — Clinched Playoff Berth

Southeast North

1) Cambridge (YX) (11-3 overall, 6-2 division)

2) Fort Atkinson (X) (9-5 overall, 6-2 division)

3) Jefferson (9-5 overall, 5-3 division)

4) McFarland (4-10 overall, 3-5 division)

5) Lake Mills (0-14 overall, 0-8 division)

Southeast South

1) Utica (YX) (11-3 overall, 7-1 division)

2) Evansville (X) (9-5 overall, 6-2 division)

3) Stoughton (6-8 overall, 2-6 division)

4) Footville (6-8 overall, 3-5 division)

5) Albion (5-9 overall, 2-6 division)