Manawa Post 226 drops pair to Bonduel

In an unusual home and home series due to cancellations due to weather, the Manawa American Legion Baseball team faced rivall Bonduel in back-to back games and came up on the short end of both scores.

In the first contest at home, Manawa fought its way back from a 5-1 deficit to make the score 5-3 with the tying runs on base in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rob Clary hit a single to centerfield, and Austin Peterson was thrown out on a great throw from centerfield to end the game. Danny Roenz took the loss for Manawa. Leading hitters for Manawa were Donny Sell and Danny Roenz.

In the next game at Bonduel, Manawa held a 2-1 lead after four innings. Cory Sullivan pitched very well for Manawa, striking out five batters.

In the fifth inning, Austin Peterson relieved Sullivan and got into trouble after retiring the first hitter. A successful hit and run by Bonduel put runners at the corner and tied the game at two. Bonduel?s fifth batter drove the next pitch over the fence to put the hosts up 5-2.

Manawa wouldn't go quietly as the team rallied to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning before being retired. "We out hit Bonduel, committed no errors, and generally played a decent game, but we just couldn't finish scoring rallies. We are trying to learn how to finish off scoring opportunities. The season is really just getting started for us," said Coach David Augustine after the game.

Manawa hosts Menominee at 7 p.m. July 5.