The Kewaunee Storm baseball team is one win away from its first-ever state title after beating Fennimore 5-3 Tuesday afternoon.
After the two teams traded scoreless innings through the first three frames, the Storm was able to strike first in the fourth inning. After Ethan Paplham singled and Brett Paulsen reached on an error, Brady Pribek sent one to the wall for a triple to make 2-0. The Golden Eagles responded with one run in the bottom of the fourth inning courtesy of a Gianni Filardo sacrifice fly.
The Storm posted their second big rally in the fifth inning. After Micah Vanness and Paplham reached on walks, Connor Kilgore hit the ball over the head of outfielder Casey Dresen for a double, only to come around to score on an error by Filardo to make it 5-1. The Golden Eagles would once again have a retort, this time posting two runs on a passed ball and an RBI single by Corey Dresen. Paulsen ended his day on a high note, striking out Casey Dresen looking for his eighth strikeout of the afternoon after allowing three runs (2 ER) on seven hits.
Both teams would go scoreless over the final two innings, but not without some drama. The Golden Eagles had the tying run at the plate when Macoy Miles popped the ball up into foul territory where Toby Kunkel was able to track it down, but not before a slight bobble caused the crowd at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium to gasp before the final out was finally secured.
Paplham posted two hits in the win for the Storm with Paulsen and Pribek responsible for the other two hits. Paulsen earned the win while Delain picked up the save with two scoreless innings.
The Storm will now face defending state champion Kenosha St. Joseph in the DIvision 3 title game after they toppled Barron 14-4 in five innings, put the game away in the fifth inning with eight runs. Catcher Peter Visconti led the way with three hits and three RBI in the win for the Lancers. Tim Kowols and Jacob Nate will have the call again on Thursday on 104.1 WRLU with the pregame show at 11:45 a.m. followed by the first pitch at noon.
