One-run affairs go to Saints’ foes

The eighth inning decided two one-run defeats for the Saukville Saints in Rock River League games last weekend.

On Saturday, the Kewaskum A’s won 7-6, in Saukville and on Sunday, the Oakfield Oaks won, 3-2, in Oakfield.

The A’s and Saints were knotted, 4-4, through four innings. The A’s added one run each in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings.

The Saints scored one run in the sixth and eighth inning but couldn’t get any closer.

Cale Fransen started and went four innings for the Saints, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking five and whiffing one.

Andrew Biertzer allowed two earned runs in three innings on two hits, walking five and striking out two. He took the loss.

Tom Hartwick pitched the final two frames, allowing one earned run on one hit, walking and striking out one each.

The Saints scored in the bottom of the first inning on a walk to Steve Dickmann, a fielder’s choice by Taylor Devenport and an RBI double by Ben Kleist.

The A’s bounced back in the second inning with two runs on a double, two walks and infield throwing error.

Down, 3-1, in the fourth inning, the Saints tied the game. Kleist singled, followed by a ground out. Aaron Brockman was hit by a pitch and Nick Mueller hit a single to plate one run. Simon Bares hit a single to bring in two more.

In the fifth inning, the A’s took the lead on two walks and a single to load the bases. A sacrifice fly scored a run.

The Saints tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth inning. Bares walked and a long single by Hartwick brought him home.

After giving up one run each in the seventh and eighth innings, the Saints closed to within one run in their half of the eighth. Hartwick singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Alex Elenteny brought him home with an RBI single.

Kleist and Hartwick each had two hits apiece.

Derek Hall had four hits for the A’s.

Brad Weber started and went five innings on the mound for the A’s, allowing four earned runs, five hits and four walks while striking out six.

Nick Rosenthal got the win in four innings of work, allowing two earned runs, three hits and two walks while whiffing two.

On Sunday, left-handed Kleist went the distance for the Saints against the Oaks. He allowed three earned runs on three hits in eight innings, walking three and whiffing five.

The Saints started the scoring in the fourth inning. Dustin Kesner singled and moved to third on two wild pitches. A Kleist ground out scored Kesner.

The Oaks, hitless until the fifth inning, got runners to second and third on a walk, sacrifice bunt, infielder’s fielder’s choice and another sacrifice bunt. A Mike Merk single with two outs plated two runs.

The Saints tied the game in the seventh inning. Tom Dickmann walked, and Devenport singled. Dickmann scored on a two-out single by Steve Dickmann.

The Oaks took the lead for good in the eighth inning. Merk doubled and took third on a sacrifice bunt. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Brady Madigan.

Steve Dickmann, Kesner and Nick Mueller each had two hits.

Merk had two hits for the Oaks.

Paul Jones started and went 6-2/3 innings for the Oaks. He allowed two earned runs, six hits and one walk while whiffing three.

Keegan Madigan finished the final 2-1/3 innings and got the victory, allowing no runs, two hits and one walk while striking out two.

The Saints went to 1-10 and are in last place in the nine-team league. The A’s are 7-3 and in second place behind the 6-2 Hartford Hawks. The Oaks are 5-5.

The Saints finish the regular season at home against the Brownsville 49ers (6-3) at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.

The league tournament, in single-elimination until the finals is Aug. 29 and 30 and Sept. 5 to 7.