Finding their footing

Twelve months ago, Sauk Prairie’s baseball team began the year 0-8, then engineered a memorable turnaround. Sauk Prairie battled back to finish the year 13-13 and reached the sectional semifinals. Maybe the 2024 Eagles are on a similar path. Sauk Prairie began this season 1-6, then ripped off a pair of wins to end last week. The Eagles are now 3-6 overall and 0-3 in the Badger Small Conference. “We are starting to put together some solid outings,” Eagles’ coach Darin Pape said. “Our defense has improved tremendously, and we’re starting to put good at bats together as well.” Here’s a recap of Sauk Prairie’s week: • McFarland 2, Sauk Prairie 0 — Spartans pitcher Mason Roe allowed just three hits and host McFarland edged the Eagles on April 18. Brason Ballweg threw well for Sauk Prairie, allowing just two earned runs and six hits in six innings. Ballweg also struck out three and walked three in the loss. “We had a solid pitching performance from Brason Ballweg,” Pape said. “We had good at bats, and hit the ball hard, but McFarland made all of the plays which took some hits away from our hitters.   “They also had a solid pitching effort, with their player also throwing a complete game. Despite the loss, we showed signs of improvement in many areas.” • Sauk Prairie 6, Tomah 5 — Mason Kaufman’s walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted the Eagles to a win last Friday. “The game came down to the last at bat with Mason Kaufman walking it off for us,” Pape said. Sauk Prairie built a 5-1 lead, before visiting Tomah rallied back with four runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. In the seventh, the Eagles drew three straight walks to open the inning. Kaufman’s base hit to center then scored pinch runner Nolan Oberloh. Marty Hanna led the Eagles’ offense with two hits, a double, an RBI and a run scored. Brason Ballweg added two hits and two RBI, while Bryan Breunig had two hits and an RBI. Austin Pagel threw the first four innings, allowing one earned run and striking out seven.  “We welcomed back Austin Pagel to pitching,” Pape said. “He had been sidelined for a little over a week and a half due to an injury. He came back, and pitched very well for us.”   Boden Frosch then picked up the win, working the final three frames and allowing two earned runs, three hits and striking out four. • Sauk Prairie 10, Wisconsin Dells 3 — The Eagles notched their most convincing win of the year, rolling past the host Chiefs last Saturday. Marty Hanna threw a complete game and picked up the win. Hanna allowed five hits, one earned run, struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter. Hanna also threw strikes on 69 of his 98 pitches (70.4%). “Marty Hanna was in total control on the mound,” Pape said.   Jackson Breuning led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double and a triple. Breunig had three RBI and two runs scored. Cole Helgeson also went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Hanna had two hits and Autin Pagel scored two runs. The Eagles scored four runs in the second inning and two more in the third to take a 6-0 lead. After Wisconsin Dells struck for three in the fifth, Sauk Prairie answered with four in the sixth to regain some breathing room. “Our offense came to life with several players getting involved,” Pape said. “This was an all-around game for our team. Solid defense, and timely hitting was the key for the day.” • On deck: The Eagles hosted Portage Monday, then traveled to Reedsburg Tuesday. Sauk Prairie hosts Reedsburg Thursday at 5 p.m., then travels to River Valley Friday for a 5 p.m. contest.