Rough innings doom Port in three baseball defeats

The Port Washington High School baseball team is looking to stay out of the big inning and shore up its pitching and defense.

Last week, the Pirates went 0-3, its closest game a 9-5 loss at New Holstein on Saturday.

Pitcher Ryan Umhoefer provided a solid start, allowing three runs in the first inning but and four straight shutout frames after that.

“He kept us in the game, which is what we needed,” Port coach C.J. Koehler said.

Trailing, 5-2, entering the sixth inning, Port tied the game with three runs. New Holstein’s pitcher walked the bases loaded with one out, and Nolan Large came through with an RBI single to score one run.

After Marcus Schmit reached on an RBI fielder’s choice, Nolan Mueller hit a deep ball in the gap to plate another run. Schmit tried to score as well, but was called out.

The Huskies answered in the seventh by scoring four runs on two-strike hits, Koehler said.

Last Friday, Port lost, 13-2, to host Kewaskum.

The Pirates scored twice in the first inning and held the Indians scoreless in their half.

Noah Prom started on the mound for Port and had his best two innings of the season. He continues to improve in working through offseason arm trouble, Koehler said.

Prom allowed three runs in the second inning “but was looking really sharp, which was good to see,” Koehler said.

The Pirates gave up 10 runs in the fourth inning for the second straight game. The Indians had five hits, and Port helped them with errors and mental mistakes.

“It was frustrating for sure. We started the game so well,” Koehler said.

Mueller went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

“He’s starting to come around for us,” Koehler said.

Against powerhouse West Bend West on May 31, the Pirates lost, 18-3.

They gave up 10 runs in the fourth on four hits. The Pirates walked two batters, hit two more and committed multiple errors.

Zach Uselding went 2-for-2, scored a run and stole a base.

“He set the table early for us. He’s continued to do that for us all year,” Koehler said.

Now that school has ended and all of his players’ focus can shift to baseball, Koehler said, the goal is to eliminate the multi-error innings and get more solid pitching. Offensively, the team has been doing OK.

“We’re looking all right. Been pretty happy with at-bats,” Koehler said.

Port is scheduled to play at Homestead this Thursday and host Brown Deer on Friday and West Bend East on Tuesday, June 11. All games start at 5:30 p.m.