Saints earn key RVL win, defeat Arlington 8-4
Posted July 1, 2013
By CJ Siewert
In desperate need of a win against a division opponent, the St. Peter town team came away with an important 8-4 victory over River Valley League West foe Arlington on Sunday at Veterans Field. The win gives the Saints a series split with the A’s and improves their overall record to 6-9 and league mark to 3-4.
Both starting pitchers cruised through the first three innings without giving up a run. Jeff Wenner started on the hill for the Saints and gave up just one run in the fourth inning. The run was a result of two walks and a double. Wenner lasted four innings with a no decision. He gave up three hits with three walks, a strikeout and a hit batsman. He also benefitted from two double plays.
Scott Dose made his first appearance on the mound for the A’s this season. Clearly fatigued in the early going, Dose was able to throw three scoreless innings before the Saints got to him in the fourth. Ryan Wenner and Jeff Menk started the frame with walks and Seth Wenner knocked in a run with a single.
St. Peter scored two in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. Jordan Wilmes reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on another error. Jesse Munsterman then walked and stole second to put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Menk went with an outside pitch for a two-run single.
Jeremy Braun tossed a scoreless fifth inning for the Saints, but gave up two runs in the sixth. The A’s hit two singles and walked twice to tie the game at 3-3. But St. Peter answered with what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom half.
With two down, CJ Siewert walked, while during his at-bat, Jesse Anderson was tossed from the bench by the umpire. A questionable strike zone throughout the game and consistent heckling resulted in the ejection. After the walk, Wilmes singled and Billy Hanson knocked in a run with a base hit. Ryan Wenner then plated Wilmes and Hanson with another base hit.
Arlington cut the deficit to 6-4 in the eighth on a double and single, but once again, the Saints answered and put the game out of reach with two runs in the bottom half. Another two-out rally ensued when Hanson was hit by a pitch, Munsterman walked, Ryan Wenner hit an RBI single and Menk followed with an RBI double.
Braun earned the win after five innings of relief. He gave up three earned runs on five hits with four walks, one hit by pitch and a strikeout.
St. Peter faces perennial Class B power Chaska on Tuesday at Veterans Field. The Saints and Cubs square off at 7:30 p.m.
Photo: Ryan Wenner waits in the batters box in the fifth inning with Jordan Wilmes on third and Jesse Munsterman on second.
