After winning a share of the Eastern Valley Conference championship, the Waupaca baseball team wrapped up the regular season with a pair of nonconference wins.
Waupaca’s 6-3 win over Ripon May 27 means the Comets will share the EVC title with Freedom. It’s the second year in a row that the team finished tied for first in the final standings, as Waupaca and Clintonville shared the championship last year.
The Comets handed Iola-Scandinavia a 3-1 defeat May 30 in the final regular-season game and handed New London a 9-4 defeat May 29.
Waupaca 9, New London 4
WAUPACA – New London came up with a run in the top of the first inning, but the Comets came back with three in the third. New London tied the game with two runs in the fourth, but Waupaca took the lead for good with three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Jason Ellie homered and had two of Waupaca’s 13 hits. Johnny Popham added three hits for Waupaca, while Zander Neuville and Bryce Neidert added two each. Owen McCann picked up the win on the mound.
Jake Pinch had three of New London’s eight hits, while Aaron Yorkson added two.
Waupaca 6, Ripon 3
RIPON – The Comets won 11 of their last 12 EVC games to finish with a 12-4 mark in conference play.
Waupaca needed to beat the Tigers to share the championship with Freedom, which also finished 12-4.
Waupaca took a 6-0 lead with a run in the first, two in the second and three in the fourth. Ripon cut into the lead with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth, but never got any closer.
Walker Smith had two of Waupaca’s eight hits, while Jared Erickson drove in a pair of runs. Popham picked up the win on the mound, scattering five hits.
The Tigers also committed four errors.
Waupaca opened state tournament play June 4 at home against Lomira or Omro in a Division 2 regional semifinal. The winner of that game will likely face top-seeded Waupun Friday, June 6, in a regional final in Waupun. The Comets are seeded second.