It will be a battle of two Packerland teams Thursday as Sevastopol hosts NEW Lutheran for the WIAA Baseball Regional opener.

 

The Pioneers have been streaky in May, opening the month with three straight victories before dropping five straight. That includes a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Algoma last Saturday.

 

The Blazers swept the same Algoma team to start the month before embarking on a five-game losing streak that include a pair of doubleheader sweeps to Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door. 

 

The Pioneers won both games against the Blazers earlier this year by 13-3 and 3-1 scores. In game one, the Pioneers scored six runs in the first and fifth innings before earning the mercy-rule win with a single tally in the sixth inning.  Carter Bieri led the way with four RBI on a pair of hits and walks. Frankie Ash also had two RBI and two hits. Henry Bley and Eli Belli also drove in runs for the Pioneers. Ash held things in check on the mound, allowing just two earned runs (three total) and seven hits while striking out seven over five innings. Things were tighter in the second game, where each team scored once in the first and the Pioneers scored the game's only other runs in the third inning. Nick Peterson collected two of the Pioneers' five hits, while Ash's good day at the plate continued with a hit and the team's two RBI in the game. 

 

First pitch is set for 5 p.m.