The Green Bay Packers enter their bye week with more questions than answers after two underwhelming performances in a row, including Sunday night's 40-40 tie to the Dallas Cowboys. 

 

After two touchdown passes between Jordan Love and Romeo Doubs made it 13-2 early, the Cowboys closed the half with two touchdowns of their own to take a 16-13 lead into the break. The two teams traded touchdowns the rest of the game before Brandon McManus' field goal as regulation time expired forced the extra period. The two teams could only muster field goals in the extra frame to earn the tie.

 

The Packers' rushing game piled up yards, with 164 yards on the ground, including 86 yards and two touchdowns from Josh Jacobs. Jordan Love matched Dak Prescott behind center, throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Micah Parsons was quiet during his Dallas homecoming, though his sack in overtime proved to be crucial. It kept the Cowboys out of the endzone and allowed the Packers easier circumstances to force the tie.

 

The Packers will have the week off before returning to Lambeau Field for the first time in a month when they host the Cincinnati Bengals for a 3:25 p.m. kickoff. 

The Green Bay Gamblers came up empty in a two-game weekend road trip, falling 3-0 Friday and 3-2 Saturday to the Muskegon Lumberjacks at Trinity Health Arena.

 

Friday’s opener saw Muskegon take control behind a second-period goal from William Norringer before they added two more in the third. The Gamblers mustered just eight shots on goal, all turned away by Carl Axelsson, who earned the shutout. Green Bay goaltender Victor Henriquez made 21 saves on 24 shots in the loss.

Saturday’s rematch was a tighter contest, with Green Bay putting 36 shots on net. Muskegon jumped out early with goals from Mason Koering and Caden Christ, but Green Bay’s Michael Katz responded with his second of the season. After Norringer extended the Lumberjacks’ lead in the second, Katz struck again on the power play to cut the deficit to one. Despite a heavy push, Axelsson stopped 34 shots to preserve Muskegon’s 3-2 win. Gamblers goaltender Jacob Slavick finished with 21 saves.

The Gamblers return home still searching for their first win of the season, standing at 0-2-0-1, while Muskegon remains unbeaten at 4-0.

The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for a road trip to Dallas this Sunday, where they will face the Cowboys.

 

This game presents an opportunity for the Packers to rebound after a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in their previous game. Despite the narrow defeat, several players delivered impressive performances. Quarterback Jordan Love showcased a mixed but promising performance against the Browns, accumulating 201 total yards. While he did throw a passing touchdown, he also had an interception. On the receiving end, Matthew Golden emerged as a reliable target, hauling in 4 catches for 52 yards. Defensively, the Packers saw strong individual efforts. Linebacker Quay Walker was a standout, recording an impressive 14 total tackles, with 6 being solo efforts. Safety Xavier McKinney also significantly impacted defense, contributing six tackles and securing a crucial interception.

 

The kick-off is at 7:20 PM

 

The Green Bay Blizzard are signing players to their roster in anticipation of the upcoming Indoor Football League (IFL) season. Aiming for a stronger performance, the team has been actively signing a blend of returning talent and promising new players. Returning from last year is defensive lineman Scean Mustin. The Blizzard's recruitment efforts have brought many new faces across various positions. The team has secured Melvin Hudson and Ryan Frans on the offensive line. New talent has also strengthened the defensive backfield with the additions of Zeke Blake and Dorian Davis. Further adding to the defensive side, the Blizzard have added linebacker Juwaun Mitchell and defensive lineman Demario Martin.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is shaping up to be a loaded group of nominees, and the Green Bay Packers are well represented. Twelve former Packers are among the 128 modern-era players announced Wednesday.

 

Leading the way is linebacker Clay Matthews, a six-time Pro Bowler who played 10 seasons in Green Bay and helped anchor the defense of the Packers’ Super Bowl XLV championship team. Matthews remains the franchise’s all-time sack leader with 83.5 and was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2024.

 

The ballot also includes two of the Packers’ most productive receivers: Donald Driver, the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, and Jordy Nelson, whose 72 touchdowns place him among the top scorers in team history.

 

Several other cornerstones of Green Bay’s successful 2000s and 2010s run made the list. Safety Nick Collins delivered one of the defining plays of Super Bowl XLV with his interception return for a touchdown. Linebacker A.J. Hawk, the team’s all-time tackles leader, and guard Josh Sitton, a four-time Pro Bowler, are also nominees.

 

Other former Packers on the list of 128 are:

TE Wesley Walls (2003)

G Jahri Evans (2017)

C Jeff Saturday (2012)

DB Allen Rossum (2000–01)

P Sean Landeta (1998)

KR/PR Eric Metcalf (2002)

 

The Packers currently have 29 Hall of Famers, the second-most of any franchise behind the Chicago Bears (32). Receiver Sterling Sharpe was the team’s most recent inductee in the Class of 2025.

 

The next step of the process will narrow the field to 50 semifinalists in mid-October, then down to 25 later this fall. A group of 15 modern-era finalists will then be discussed at the selection meeting ahead of Super Bowl LX, with three to five players ultimately chosen for enshrinement in August 2026 in Canton, Ohio.

 

The Green Bay Gamblers are gearing up to kick off their season this Friday. The team is scheduled to face off against the Muskegon Lumberjacks in their opening game, which will take place at the Trinity Health Arena. Following Friday's season opener, the Gamblers and Lumberjacks will have a quick turnaround, as they are set for a rematch on Saturday. In a recent and exclusive interview, Jeff Mitchell, President of the Green Bay Gamblers, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming season. Mitchell's excitement was clear as he spoke at length about his love for the team's coaching staff and players. Mitchell also brought up the success the Gamblers had when he first started working with the organization, as well as his eagerness to see the success the team can achieve this season.

 

Face-off is at 7:10 PM

    Local schools Algoma, Kewaunee, Sturgeon Bay, and United will compete on Thursday.

Algoma hosts Denmark with a 4:30 PM kick-off. Algoma previously lost to Sturgeon Bay 4-1.

Kewaunee travels to N.E.W. Lutheran, with kick-off at 4:30 PM. Kewaunee's last match resulted in a 4-1 loss against United.

Sturgeon Bay heads to Peshtigo, with a 4:30 PM kick-off. The Clippers recently defeated Algoma 4-1.

United hosts Providence, with kick-off at 6:30 PM. United's last game was an 8-2 victory over N.E.W. Lutheran.
 

After weekend splits over the weekend, Gibraltar/Sevastopol and Sturgeon Bay return to the pitch in hopes of starting an extended winning streak.

 

The Clippers head south Monday afternoon for a 4:30 p.m. tilt against Algoma. Last Friday night, the Clippers lost to Division 1 Germantown 1-0 before throttling Division 1 Milwaukee King 3-0. The Wolves enter the matchup 4-1-1.

 

The United will open their homecoming week with a matchup against NEW Lutheran under the lights at 6:30 p.m. Their day started with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Xavier, but the Vikings bounced back with statement wins over Kewaunee (4-1) and New Holstein (3-0). The Blazers have struggled in their second season outside of their co-op with Providence Academy, entering the matchup 2-4 overall including 0-4 in the Packerland Conference.

With just under four minutes to play, the Green Bay Packers looked like they were going to win before giving up 13 unanswered points in a 13-10 loss to Cleveland on Sunday.

 

Both teams struggled offensively on Sunday with quarterbacks Jordan Love and Joe Flacco struggling to elude pressure. Still, a first-half field goal from Brandon McManus and a third-quarter touchdown pass from Love to John FitzPatrick looked like it would hold. Following a field goal by Andre Szmyt. Love threw a back-breaking interception that was returned deep inside Packers territory. The Browns tied the game up on Quinshon Judkins's touchdown run. It looked like the Packers was going to escape with a game-winning field goal, but it was blocked to set up the Browns' own heroics as time expired.

 

Jordan Love threw for over 180 yards and a touchdown, but the interception was a fatal blow to his afternoon. The running game was anemic, rushing for 81 yards on 31 carries. The loss spoiled an otherwise productive day for Rashan Gary, who registered two sacks.

 

The Packers hope to bounce back next Sunday night when they play in Dallas against the Cowboys.

The Green Bay Gamblers' 2025-2026 season got off to a rough start over the weekend in the USHL Fall Classic, losing 5-4 to Omaha on Thursday and 3-2 in a shootout on Friday to Sioux Falls.

 

In Thursday's loss, the Gamblers scored four goals in the first seven minutes of the second period thanks to Gavin Katz, Nikita Fedotov, Oliver McKinney, and Zach Wooten. With the Gamblers leading 4-2, the Lancers scored three straight to end the game.

 

On Friday, Landon Hafele and Zach Wooten scored in the second period, but the Gamblers allowed two goals in the third period before being outdueled 2-1 in the shootout.

 

The Gamblers will remain on the road this weekend when they play at Muskegon.

The undefeated Green Bay Packers are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 showdown against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. Riding high on a 2-0 start to the season, the Packers are determined to maintain their perfect record as they head into Cleveland. Their most recent game saw them beat the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field, securing a 27-18 victory. Quarterback Jordan Love had a very impressive performance, showcasing his versatility with  304 total yards and two touchdown passes. Several other Packers delivered standout performances against the Commanders. Running back Josh Jacobs proved to be a force not to be messed with on the ground, churning out 84 rushing yards and punching in a rushing touchdown. Tight end Tucker Kraft was crucial to Love’s passing, hauling in 124 receiving yards and snagging a receiving touchdown. On the defensive side, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper made his presence felt with a team-leading 10 total tackles.     

 

The injury report has been a focal point as the team prepares for Sunday's clash. Wide receiver Jayden Reed's status remains uncertain, as he has not yet returned to participation during practice. While his availability for Sunday's game against the Browns has not been officially confirmed, his absence would certainly be felt in the Packers' receiving corps. In more positive lights, the offensive line is seeing some welcome returns. Veteran offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Zach Tom have both returned to practice. Banks, in particular, has been a full participant and has reportedly been cleared to play against the Browns. Tom, while currently on limited participation, is diligently working his way back to full recovery.

 

The Packers understand the challenge that awaits them in Cleveland. However, with their momentum, key player performances, and the anticipated return of crucial offensive linemen, the Packers are confident in their ability to continue their winning ways.

 

Get ready, Green Bay, for an electrifying event in 2026! The Hall of Fame Game is set to be played in our city, bringing with it the start of the Indoor Football League season. The Green Bay Blizzard prepares to host the reigning champions, the Vegas Knight Hawks, in a high-stakes rematch of last year's unforgettable UFL Championship Game.

 

The previous season saw the Blizzard deliver a truly phenomenal performance; however, their championship dreams were heartbreakingly cut short by the Knight Hawks in a game that went down to the wire. The final moments were nothing short of eventful: Vegas quarterback Jayden de Laura scored a crucial rushing touchdown late in the game, putting his team in the lead. With their season on the line, the Blizzard launched a desperate final offensive push. They attempted to rush the ball on the last play, a daring gamble for victory. But fate, unfortunately, was not on their side. They were stopped at the one-yard line, and the game ended with a crushing 61-64 defeat, bringing their remarkable season to a bitter close.

 

This upcoming Hall of Fame Game in 2026 isn't just about kicking off a new season; it's redemption for the Blizzard. It's a chance to rewrite history against the team that denied them the championship. The atmosphere in Green Bay is sure to be electric as fans flock to witness this highly anticipated showdown. This promises to be a game filled with intense plays and unforgettable moments, setting the stage for what is sure to be another incredible Indoor Football League season.

 

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Women's Basketball team has officially revealed its schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 season. After an outstanding 2024-25 season that saw them finish with an impressive 29-6 overall record and a dominant 19-1 mark in conference play, the Phoenix are eager to build on their momentum. Their remarkable 22-game winning streak last season, which resulted in a first-place finish in their conference, ended in a hard-fought battle against Alabama in the opening round of March Madness.

 

The off-season has allowed for recent additions to the Phoenix roster. Maddy Skorupski, a senior guard transferring from Oakland University, is headlining the new faces, who earned second-team All-Conference honors last season. The team also welcomes talented sisters from UW-Milwaukee: Kallie Peppler, a sophomore guard, and Kamy Peppler, a senior guard. Then moving into the frontcourt is Gracie Grzesk, a sophomore forward who has transferred from the University of Wisconsin.

 

The incoming freshman class brings exciting potential to the Resch Center. Kristina Ouimette, a versatile guard/forward, joins the team as the sister of current Phoenix player Julianna Ouimette. Another committed incoming freshman is Madison Hoffman, another promising guard/forward.

 

Beyond the playing roster, the Phoenix family has also seen significant additions to its coaching staff. Former Phoenix player Jasmine Koudrakiewicz has been welcomed back to the program as an assistant coach. Looking ahead, the program has already secured a commitment from Lillie Johnson, class of 2026 prospect from Gladstone High School, who will join UW-Green Bay for the 2026-27 season.

 

2025-26 Schedule

Sat, Oct 18 vs UW-Platteville

Mon, Nov 3 vs UW-Stevens Point

Thu, Nov 6 @ Loyola Chicago

Tue, Nov 11 vs North Dakota

Thu, Nov 13 vs New Hampshire

Sun, Nov 16 @ Wisconsin

Sat, Nov 22 vs Kansas State

Cancun Challenge in Cancun, Mexico 

Thu, Nov 27 vs NC State

Fri, Nov 28 vs Richmond

Thu, Dec 4 @ Northern Kentucky

Sun, Dec 7 vs Youngstown State

Wed, Dec 10 @ IU Indy

Sat, Dec 13 @ Washington

Mon, Dec 22 @ Miami, Ohio

Tue, Dec 30 @ Wright State

Fri, Jan 2 vs Cleveland State

Sun, Jan 4 vs Robert Morris 

Thu, Jan 8 @ Oakland

Sat, Jan 10 @ Detroit Mercy

Wed, Jan 14 vs Purdue Fort Wayne

Sat, Jan 17 @ Milwaukee

Thu, Jan 22 vs Oakland

Sat, Jan 24 vs Detroit Mercy

Thu, Jan 29 vs Wright State 

Thu, Feb 5 @ Robert Morris

Sat, Feb 7 @ Youngstown State

Wed, Feb 11 @ Cleveland State

Sat, Feb 14 vs Northern Kentucky

Sat, Feb 21 vs Milwaukee 

Wed, Feb 25 vs IU Indy 

Sat, Feb 28 @ Purdue Fort Wayne

The Sturgeon Bay High School volleyball team is set to compete in an invitational tournament at Gillett High School on Saturday. This event will feature a lineup of teams from across Wisconsin.

Joining Sturgeon Bay at the tournament are a host of talented schools, including:

Eau Claire Memorial High School

Oak Creek

Marshfield

Elkhorn

Holmen

Onalaska

Kaukauna

Appleton East

The Prairie

Wauwatosa East

Cedarburg

Madison Memorial

Madison West

DeForest

Fox Valley Lutheran

Hortonville

Middleton

Port Washington

Barneveld

Marshall

Kewaskum

Sun Prairie West

The tournament provides an excellent opportunity for the Sturgeon Bay team to test their skills against diverse opponents and gain valuable experience as they continue their season. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Clippers in what is sure to be an exciting display of high school volleyball.

The first serve is at 8:00 AM.

 

The Gibraltar High School Volleyball team is getting ready for an eventful weekend, as they prepare to compete in an invitational tournament this Saturday in Ashwaubenon. The tournament will feature a strong field of teams, including Wrightstown, Amherst, Antigo, Calumet, Denmark, and Menasha. The diverse lineup ensures a competitive environment, offering the Gibraltar team valuable experience. Coaches and players anticipate testing their skills against strong schools. This invitational is crucial for refining their game and building momentum.

The first serve is at 9:00 AM.

 

Southern Door Volleyball is working overtime this weekend, competing in an invitational tournament hosted at Ripon High School. Among the schools to participate alongside Southern Door are Crandon, Omro, Portage, Waupaca, and Winnebago Lutheran Academy. This diverse field of schools provides a challenging and exciting tournament, offering Southern Door an opportunity to test its skills and strategies against different opponents. Fans and supporters are encouraged to attend and cheer on the Eagles as they vie for top honors. The first serve is at 9:30 AM.

 

In addition to our coverage of Southern Door and Gibraltar tonight, two other Door County teams will be in action on the gridiron.

 

Sturgeon Bay High School's football team is gearing up for its fourth game this Friday, as it prepares to host the Peshtigo Bulldogs. The Clippers are eager to bounce back after a loss on Saturday, where they fell 0-62 to Marinette. Despite the lopsided score, the team remains focused on improvement and is determined to secure its first victory in front of its home crowd.

 

 

Sevastopol High School's football team is set to return to its home turf this Friday to face off against the Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Titans. The Pioneers are riding high after a 55-22 victory in their last home game against the Suring Eagles. With an impressive 3-0 record, the Pioneers are determined to protect their undefeated streak. The Titans will present a challenge, but the Pioneers are preparing to maintain their dominant form. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they aim for their fourth consecutive victory.

 

Both games kickoff at 7 p.m.

The Green Bay Packers head into a mini-bye week on a positive note after they beat the Washington Commanders 27-18 on Thursday night.

 

The Packers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half thanks to a five-yard touchdown catch by Romeo Doubs in the first quarter and a short-yard run for the score by Josh Jacobs. Leading 17-10 in the fourth quarter, the Packers added insurance points courtesy of a Tucker Kraft touchdown and Brandon McManus' second field goal of the night.

 

The Packers piled up 135 yards on the ground with Josh Jacobs leading the way with 81 yards on 19 carries. Jordan Love was able to air it out as well, going 19/32 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Edgerrin Cooper, Micah Parsons, Karl Brooks, and Barryn Sorrell all registered half a sack.

 

The Packers are back in action on September 21st when they travel to Cleveland to face the Browns for a noon kickoff.

The Pack is back for a Thursday night game against the Washington Commanders.

 

In Sunday’s game, the Green Bay Packers hosted the Detroit Lions for the NFL season opener, winning 27-13 and starting the 2025-2026 season with a 1-0 record. From the kick-off, the Packers showed their dominance, especially in the first half, which saw them take a 17-3 lead into halftime. This early lead was largely due to the impressive performance of quarterback Jordan Love, who threw for two touchdowns. The first was a 15-yard toss to tight end Tucker Kraft. The second touchdown was a 17-yard pass to wide receiver Jayden Reed. The Lions attempted to come back in the second half, but the Packers' defense held strong, and their offense delivered the decisive blow in the fourth quarter. Running back Josh Jacobs punched in a crucial 3-yard rushing touchdown. Notable Packer performances from Sunday were: Quarterback Jordan Love (192 total yards and 2 touchdowns), running back Josh Jacobs (70 total yards and a rushing touchdown), and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (8 solo tackles and four assisted tackles).

 

Looking ahead, the Packers are eager to carry this momentum into Week 2, where they will again play at home, hosting the Washington Commanders on Thursday night. However, there are some injury concerns emerging from Sunday's game. Linebacker Micah Parsons, a key component of the Packers' defense, has been on limited participation in practice since Sunday due to a lower back sprain. Additionally, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who also saw limited practice time since Sunday, is dealing with a calf injury.

 

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Green Phoenix Men’s Basketball team released its 2025-2026 season schedule earlier this week.

 

In their last season, newly hired coach Doug Gottlieb, and the Phoenix had an overall record of 4-28 and went 2-18 in the Horizon League.

 

During the off-season, the Phoenix made a lot of roster moves. Through the transfer portal, the Phoenix acquired Ramel Bethea (29-year-old 6’9” forward-center sophomore), LeBron Thomas (Jr. guard), Rob Straud (Sr. guard), and Justin Allen (Sr. guard). More additions to the team include the incoming freshman, Maruan Cicic (7’ C from Montenegro), Vukasin Todorovic (6’8” F from Slovenia), Keegan Van Kauwenberg (G from Kaukauna, WI), and Trey Schachter (G from Pittsburgh, PA). Also, former NBA player and UWGB alumnus Keifer Sykes was hired as the program's general manager. 

 

UWGB Men’s Basketball Schedule

Mon, Nov 3 @ Kansas

Fri, Nov 21 vs Yale

Thu, Dec 4 vs Robert Morris

Sun, Dec 7 @ Wright State

Thu, Dec 11 @ IU Indianapolis

Thu, Jan 1 @ Purdue Fort Wayne

Mon, Jan 5 vs Milwaukee

Fri, Jan 9 vs IU Indianapolis

Sun, Jan 11 vs Northern Kentucky

Thu, Jan 15 @ Cleveland State

Sun, Jan 18 vs Oakland

Thu, Jan 22 @ Youngstown State

Sat, Jan 24 @ Robert Morris

Fri, Jan 30 vs Cleveland State

Sun, Feb 1 vs Wright State

Wed, Feb 4 @ Northern Kentucky

Sat, Feb 7 vs Detroit Mercy

Thu, Feb 12 vs Purdue Fort Wayne

Sun, Feb 15 @ Milwaukee

Fri, Feb 20 @ Oakland

Sun, Feb 22 @ Detroit Mercy

Sat, Feb 28 vs Youngstown State.

 

The Green Bay Gamblers return to the ice for their fourth preseason game.

 

Coming off a 2-1 victory over the Janesville Jets, Green Bay had several notable players during this matchup. Goalkeeper Matt Davis was a brick wall, denying an impressive 29 shots on goal, showcasing his readiness for the regular season. Forwards Jake Schmaltz and Cam Van-Sickle each netted a goal. The Gamblers hope to continue their preseason momentum into Thursday as they take on the Madison Capitols.

 

In a recent development, the Gamblers made a notable roster move, trading away defensive player Ryland Randle and a 2026 9th-round Phase Two draft pick to the Des Moines Buccaneers. In exchange, Green Bay acquired a 2026 3rd-round Phase Two pick.

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Green Bay Packers and in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, today announced that Lambeau Field is joining ten other “Wonders of Wisconsin” sites across the state, adding to a growing lineup of must-visit places in Wisconsin for residents and visitors alike.

“Lambeau is like a sanctuary—it’s a really special place. Especially for folks who’ve grown up here or visit Wisconsin, it’s extraordinary to be able to go to Lambeau and see it for yourself. It’s a place that means a lot to us here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “Lambeau is where legends and legacies have been born, countless memories have been made, history-defining coaches, players, and games have been played, and the best fans in the NFL cheer on their team. So, it’s only right that Lambeau Field here in Titletown be named an official Wonder of Wisconsin.

“As governor and as a lifelong Wisconsinite, I’ve proudly been to many of the Wonders of Wisconsin, from hiking at Devil’s Lake and seeing the dunes at Kohler-Andrae in my home Sheboygan County to taking in the view from Grandad Bluff or Eagle Tower. Ask anyone who’s visiting—when you leave these places, you are left with a sense of awe and pride in all Wisconsin has to offer, and nowhere better is that sentiment shared than at Lambeau,” Gov. Evers continued. “Adding Lambeau to the list of must-visit sites in Wisconsin honors our proud history and traditions and is a recognition of everything Lambeau means to our state. This is a great day to be a Wisconsinite and a Packers fan.”

Home to the only publicly owned team in the National Football League (NFL) and the team with the most wins in NFL history, the Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field’s heritage and history are unmatched. Lambeau Field was established in 1957 as Green Bay City Stadium and renamed in honor of the team’s co-founder, Curly Lambeau, in 1965, making it the oldest continually operating stadium built for an NFL team. Additionally, each year, Lambeau Field welcomes hundreds of thousands of Cheeseheads and football fans from around the globe thanks to its legendary players, iconic games, and signature fan experience that have made it a must-visit stadium for generations of football fans.

Further, this announcement comes on the heels of the 2025 NFL Draft hosted in Green Bay earlier this year, during which Lambeau Field and the city welcomed over 600,000 visitors from around the nation and world. In total, the three-day event generated an economic impact of approximately $105 million for the state, far surpassing previous estimates for the event and cementing Lambeau Field and the city of Green Bay as world-class tourism and travel destinations.

“We’re pleased to join Travel Wisconsin in recognizing Lambeau Field as a Wonder of Wisconsin, alongside other renowned destinations in our great state,” said Justin Wolf, Packers director of corporate partnerships sales and activations. “Lambeau Field attracts Packers fans from near and far to Wisconsin, both on gameday and every day. We’re proud to welcome visitors from all over the world to enjoy our outstanding fan experience, celebrate our history and share in the tradition of Packers football.”

Travel Wisconsin launched the Wonders of Wisconsin in 2023, centered on a vision to celebrate the state and the unforgettable destinations—shaped by both natural forces and human hands—within it. In addition to Lambeau Field, the Wonders of Wisconsin include the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Devil’s Lake State Park, Eagle Tower, Grandad Bluff, Kohler-Andrae State Park, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Taliesin, Willow Falls, Witches Gulch, and Yerkes Observatory. More information on the Wonders of Wisconsin is available on Travel Wisconsin’s website here.

“The Wonders of Wisconsin are legendary destinations. They’re places of amazement that have wowed generations of visitors,” said Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers. “Wisconsin is full of endless destinations worthy of a Wonder of Wisconsin distinction. This list of Wonders is your starting point to discovering the unexpected and making memories that last a lifetime.”

Earlier this summer, the governor and the Department of Tourism announced Wisconsin’s tourism industry saw its third consecutive record-breaking year of economic impact under the Evers Administration in 2024. According to 2024 economic impact data, the tourism industry generated a record-high $25.8 billion in total economic impact, or about $70 million per day, surpassing the previous record of $25 billion set in 2023, which itself was a record year.    

Additionally, Wisconsin also welcomed a record-breaking 114.4 million visitors in 2024—a 1.4 million increase from the previous year and eclipsing the former record of 113.2 million visitors in 2019, and the state’s tourism industry generated a record amount of state and local revenue, generating a record $1.7 billion that goes back to local communities and essential state services.

The Green Bay Packers made plenty of roster news ahead of their matchup against the Washington Commanders on Thursday.

 

On the practice field, the Packers signed RB Pierre Strong Jr. to the practice squad and released RB Israel Abanikanda. Strong was a fourth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2022 and had played regular-season games for the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns. 

 

On the injury front, 13 players were listed on the injury report, five of whom would not have practiced on Monday if practice had been hosted. Starting offensive linemen Zach Tom and Aaron Banks, both of whom got injured during Sunday's win against the Detroit Lions, are highlighted on the list. Only seven Commanders players are listed, including just one on the "did not participate" list if they would have had practice.

The Green Bay Packers took full advantage of their first home opener in the Matt LaFleur era, beating the Detroit Lions Sunday evening 27-13.

 

The Packers jumped out to a 10-0 lead thanks to a Tucker Kraft touchdown catch from Jordan Love and a Brandon McManus field goal in the first quarter. After the Lions got on the scoreboard with a field goal, Love marched the Packers down the field again for a touchdown, finding Jayden Reed in the endzone to make it 17-3. After the Lions kicked another field goal while being held scoreless in the third quarter, Josh Jacobs found the endzone from three yards out for the Packers' final touchdown of the day to make it 24-6. McManus kicked another field goal before the Lions scored a late touchdown in garbage time.

 

Love threw for just 188 yards, but threw two touchdowns and a QB rating of 128.6. Jacobs recovered from a slow start to rush for 66 yards. The Packers defense certainly looked different with Micah Parsons on the field. Parsons had three pressures and a sack in his debut, while Rashan Gary recorded seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

 

The Packers will have just a couple of days to rest and prepare for their next game as they host the Washington Commanders on Thursday.

Kenten Egbert was one out away from a complete-game shutout for the South Bend Cubs on Sunday afternoon at Four Winds Field.  The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broke up the shutout bid on a two-out, RBI single in the top of the ninth to avoid the shutout.  However, they could not avoid the loss as the Cubs beat the Rattlers 5-1 in the season finale for both teams.

 

Logan Poteet gave South Bend (56-75 overall, 33-32 second half) a 3-0 lead with his first professional home run.  The Cubs had runners at the corners with one out when Poteet found the bleachers beyond the wall in left for a three-run homer.

Wisconsin (56-74, 22-43) could not solve Egbert, who was efficient with his pitch count and was helped out on inning-ending double plays in the second and third innings.  The Rattlers didn’t get a runner into scoring position until a two-out double by Luis Peña in the fourth inning and never had two runners on base at the same time.

The Cubs added to their lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Kade Snell drove in a run with a two-out single.  He scored later in the inning on a balk for a 5-0 lead.
 

Egbert worked around a lead-off single by Josh Adamczewski in the seventh and a one-out single by Luiyin Alastre in the eighth to keep the Rattlers off the scoreboard.  He went back out for the top of the ninth with 87 pitches under his belt.

Luke Adams singled to start the inning and would move to second on a wild pitch with one out.  Egbert got the second out on a foul pop but could not get the final out for the complete game.  Luis Castillo lined a single to right to score Adams.

Connor Spencer replaced Egbert on the mound and got the final out.  Egbert walked none, scattered seven hits, and struck out four while using 99 pitches for the win.

The teams split the six-game series at Four Winds Field.
 

The Timber Rattlers will open the 2026 season at Neuroscience Group Field against the Beloit Sky Carp on Thursday, April 2.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and the La Crosse Center have reached a three-year agreement, moving the State Team Wrestling Tournament to the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis., effective in March 2026.

 

“With the expansion of the State Team Wrestling Tournament format this year and the advent of the State Girls Team Tournament in 2027, this event has actually outgrown the UW Field House’s floor space and warm-up areas,” WIAA?Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “The UW staff has created a welcoming environment for this tournament for 19 years. We are very grateful for nearly two decades of hospitality and look forward to continuing to host the Individual Championships on UW’s campus at the Kohl Center. We are excited to continue to provide the outstanding championship experience for the student-athletes, coaches and spectators with the move to the La Crosse Center.”

 

In June, the WIAA Board of Control approved an expansion of the State Boys Team Wrestling Tournament to increase the qualifying teams in Divisions 2 and 3 to eight teams, equaling the number of Division 1 qualifiers. The new format requires additional mats to accommodate Division 2 and 3 quarterfinals in the tournament schedule. The available floor space in the UW Field House is limited to four mats. An additional two mats will be required when the girls State Tournament adds a dual-match format to determine its team champion in 2026-27.

 

Built in 1980, the venue offers a competition area of 21,000 square feet that can accommodate 8-10 wrestling mats with a seating capacity of 4,537 for the tournament and built-in concession areas. Additional square footage of open space will be utilized for team and warm-up areas. 

 

The La Crosse Center has successfully hosted WIAA?State Tournaments in recent years. The first-ever State Girls Individual Wrestling Tournament was conducted in the facility in 2022. In 2021, Divisions 2, 4 and 5 of the State Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments were held at the venue in efforts to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Center has hosted the Bi-State Wrestling Classic since 1982 and has been the home of the La Crosse Catbirds of the Continental Basketball Association and the La Crosse Spartans of the Indoor Football League.

 

“Explore La Crosse, along with the La Crosse Center, is thrilled to work with WIAA in welcoming the WIAA Team State Wrestling Championships to La Crosse,” Explore La Crosse Executive Director AJ Frels said. “This premier event will bring student-athletes, families, and fans from across the state, showcasing not only the talent and dedication of Wisconsin’s high school wrestlers but also the vitality of our region as a sports destination. The WIAA Team Wrestling Championships are expected to surpass one million dollars in direct visitor spending, further strengthening the economic impact of sports tourism in the La Crosse Region.”

 

A State Team Wrestling Tournament with a dual-meet format to determine a team champion in all three divisions began in 1991-92. The first two team tournaments were held at UW-Stevens Point. Then in 1994, the tournament moved to West Allis Central High School where it remained through 2004 when it moved to the UW Field House in Madison in 2005 through the 2024-25 season.

 

“The Wisconsin Wrestling Association (WWA) is extremely pleased with the forward thinking and commitment to advancing wrestling in the great state of Wisconsin,” WWA President Chris Hansen said. “The Team State Tournament will undoubtedly flourish at the La Crosse Center as the arena has proved wrestling friendly for many years. We thank the WIAA for their collaborative approach in all of these significant improvements to our sport.”

 

The State Boys Team Wrestling Tournament, termed the “Meet on the Mississippi,” is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, March 6-7, 2026. The State Tournament competition time schedules will be altered to accommodate the change in format. The State Individual Wrestling Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 26-28, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison.

 

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a private, voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 515 senior high schools and 30 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. 

The Green Bay Packers have their season opener against the Detroit Lions at home. 

 

The Lions swept the season series against the Packers last year en route to their second straight division championship. To make matters worse, the Lions have won three straight at Lambeau Field after going 3-7 there in the 2010s and winless in Wisconsin from 1992 to 2015.

 

A recent addition to the Packers, All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons, is questionable to play with a back injury. Other notable Packers with injury concerns include wide receiver Dontayvious Wicks (Questionable with a calf injury) and wide receiver Jayden Reed (Questionable with a foot injury). The Lions also have their concerns, already having three players listed as out for Sunday’s game: running back Sione Vaki (Hamstring), linebacker Trevor Nowaske (Elbow), and tackle Jamarco Jones (Ankle).

 

Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m.

Manuel Rodriguez struck out eight over 6-1/3 innings and earned the win for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers as the offense stormed back from a 2-1 deficit with five runs in the top of the sixth inning against the South Bend Cubs Saturday night at Four Winds Field.  Wisconsin held on for a 6-4 victory.

 

Luis Peña gave the Timber Rattlers (56-73 overall, 22-42 second half) the lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out, RBI single to score Luke Adams from second base.

Rodriguez was dealing early as he retired the first eight batters he faced, including six straight strikeouts from the second out of the first inning through the first out of the third. 

The Cubs (55-75, 32-32) got something going with back-to-back singles with two outs in the third.  Rodriguez looked like he got out of the inning when Edgar Alvarez hit a routine fly to center.  However, centerfielder Daniel Guilarte lost the ball in the twilight.  The ball dropped in medium center for a gift, two-run double for Alvarez as both runners scored on the play and South Bend was handed a 2-1 lead.

Then, the Rattlers rallied to retake the lead in the top of the sixth inning by sending ten men to the plate and scoring five runs.

Marco Dinges tied the game with a one-out, solo home run to right, his tenth home run as a Rattler this season.  However, Dinges appeared to injure his left hamstring as he raced around first, unsure if the ball would go out for a homer.  He wound up walking home from third base and headed back to the clubhouse after making it to the dugout.  Juan Baez would take over as designated hitter for the rest of the game.

Peña restarted the rally in the sixth with a single and Josh Adamczewski drew a walk.  The duo pulled a double steal with Blayberg Diaz at the plate and that forced the Cubs to pull their infield in.  Diaz hit a grounder to Cristian Hernandez, who threw wildly to the plate in an attempt to get Peña.  Both Peña and Adamczewski scored on the play for a 4-2 lead.

Later in the sixth, Adams and Jesús Made delivered two-out, RBI singles to give the Rattlers a four-run cushion.

Rodriguez went back to work in the bottom of the sixth inning and pitched around a couple of miscues by his defense to put up a zero.  He would get the first out of the seventh before turning the game over to the bullpen.  Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts for his second consecutive quality start to put him in line for the win.

Stiven Cruz retired the next two batters in the seventh.  In the eighth, Reggie Preciado hit a lead-off homer for the Cubs.  A one-out walk and a two-out double brought the tying run to the plate in the inning but Cruz got a popup to end the threat.

Cruz set down the first two Cubs he faced in the ninth.  Kade Snell extended the game with a single.  Preciado was down to his last strike but laced a double to right-center to drive in Snell and bring the tying run to the plate again.  Cruz got a strikeout to end the game for Wisconsin’s second straight win.

Made went 2-for-5 for his twelfth multi-hit game as a Rattler.

 

The season finale for both teams is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Four Winds Field.  Tanner Gillis (2-2, 2.89) is the starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  Kenten Egbert (6-8, 4.56) is set to start for the Cubs.  Game time is 1:05pm CDT.

Area volleyball teams are working into the weekend with tournaments on Saturday.

 

Luxemburg-Casco is back in action for Saturday's Triton Invite, featuring De Pere, Kimberly, Mosinee, Notre Dame Academy, Oostburg, Sheboygan Falls, and West De Pere.

 

The Sturgeon Bay Clippers is hosting their own tournament, inviting schools such as Sun Prairie West, Stanley-Boyd, St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Regis, North Fond du Lac, Neillsville, Montello, Coulee Christian, Colfax, Colby, Chippewa Falls, Auburndale, Assumption, Arcadia, and Columbus Catholic Schools.

It took a little while, but the wait was worth it for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Friday night at Four Winds Field.  Wisconsin trailed the South Bend Cubs 2-0 until they scored a run in the sixth, two runs in the seventh, four in the eighth, and two more in the ninth on the way to a 9-2 win over the Cubs.
 

South Bend (55-74 overall, 32-31 second half) took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning.  Miguel Pabon reached with a lead-off walk.  Alexi Hernandez followed with a single to right that put runners on the corners with no outs.  Hernandez was running on a pitch to Reggie Preciado and that kept the Cubs out of a double play.  Preciado hit a grounder to short, and the only play was first base for an RBI grounder to score Pabon.

Later in the second, with Hernandez at third and two outs, Rafael Morel reached on an infield single to knock in Hernandez for a 2-0 lead.

Wisconsin (55-73, 21-42) got their first run of the game in the top of the sixth.  Kay-Lan Nicasia started the inning with a double, moved to third on a grounder to the right side, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Luke Adams.

The Rattlers got their bats in gear in the seventh inning as they took the lead with two runs.  Andrew Fischer started the inning with a double against reliever Marino Santy, who promptly walked Marco Dinges on four pitches.  A flyout to right allowed Fischer to take third.  Then, Luis Castillo drove in Fischer with a single to tie the game.

Juan Baez followed with a grounder to short for a possible inning-ending double play, but he beat the throw to first to keep the inning alive.  Then, with Nicasia at the plate, Baez drew a throw to first on a pickoff attempt by Santy.  Baez stayed in the rundown long enough for Dinges to score the go-ahead run before being tagged out.

The lead seemed to open in the floodgates for the Rattlers.  They loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the eighth and would score four runs.  A wild pitch let Nicasia score, Dinges drew a bases-loaded walk after Fischer had walked to reload the bases, Luis Peña added a sacrifice fly, and Daniel Guilarte – who pinch ran for Castillo in the seventh, delivered an RBI single for a capper to the inning and a 7-2 lead.

In the ninth, Fischer added more insurance with a two-out, two-run triple to right.

Patricio Aquino was more than solid in relief of Smith out of the Wisconsin bullpen.  Aquino worked 3-2/3 innings, allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out five as he picked up the win.

Aaron Rund had to pitch around a single and an error with two outs in the bottom of the ninth before closing out the game with a strikeout, the thirteenth of the night by Wisconsin pitchers.

 

Nicasia led the way for the Rattlers offense as he was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.  Nicasia is 6-for-12 with three walks in the first four games of the series with the Cubs.

 

Saturday is game five of the series at Four Winds Field.  Manuel Rodriguez (2-5, 3.03) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  Koen Moreno (1-0, 2.00) is set to start for the Cubs.  Game time is 6:05pm CDT. 

The South Bend Cubs beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 7-4 in a seven-inning game on Thursday night at Four Winds Field.  The Cubs took advantage of wildness from Wisconsin pitchers, two errors from the Wisconsin defense, and a lack of the big hit from the Rattlers offense for the win.

 

Brian Kalmer, who hit a two-run home run to break a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning in the of the suspended game to lead the Cubs to a 5-3 win, got things started in the regularly scheduled game.  Kalmer stepped to the plate with runners at second and third with no outs in the bottom of the first and knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly.  Drew Bowser added to the lead with a two-out, two-run single.

Wisconsin (54-73 overall, 20-42 second half) got on the board in the top of the second on a two-out, RBI double by Kay-Lan Nicasia.

The Cubs (55-73, 32-30) took scored an unearned run in the third.  Miguel Pabon walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored when first baseman Juan Baez, playing first for the first time as a professional, couldn’t scoop a low throw from Jesús Made on what would have been the final out of the inning.

Marco Dinges, who had walked and scored in the second inning, led off the top of the fourth with a long home run to center.  It was his ninth as a Rattler and pulled Wisconsin back to within two runs.

South Bend put more distance between themselves and the Rattlers when Ariel Armas doubled in two runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to give the Cubs a 6-2 lead.

The Rattlers best chance at a comeback came in the top of the sixth.  Dinges walked to start the inning.  Reliever Connor Spencer botched a grounder back to the mound from Baez and a wild throw put runners on second and third with one out.  Luiyin Alastre singled to knock in Dinges.  A walk to Nicasia loaded the bases to bring the go-ahead run to the plate.

There would be no comeback.  Spencer got a strikeout for the second out.  Grayson Moore took over and got the final out on a flyball to center.

Rafael Morel manufactured a run for the Cubs in the bottom of the sixth for one more bit of insurance.  He walked, stole second, went to third on an errant pickoff throw by reliever Yerlin Rodriguez, and scored with a nifty slide to beat Baez’s throw home after a grounder to first by Edgar Alvarez.

The Rattlers tried again in their final at bat.  Made walked and Andrew Fischer doubled off the wall in right to put runners at second and third with no outs.  Josh Adamczewski drove in Made with a grounder to second and that was as close as Wisconsin would get. 

The Timber Rattlers stranded eight runners and went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring positions.  Five of the seven walks issued by Wisconsin pitchers scored in the game.

Dinges walked twice, homered one, and scored three runs as he went 1-for-2 in the game.

Game four of the series is scheduled for Friday night at Four Winds Field.  Travis Smith (1-2, 4.09) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  Brooks Caple (3-8, 6.44) is set to start for the Cubs.  Game time is 6:05pm CDT. 

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and South Bend Cubs completed Wednesday’s suspended game on Thursday afternoon at Four Winds Field, and it was a big home run by Brian Kalmer to give the Cubs a 5-3 win.  Kalmer’s tenth home run of the season was a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie.

 

Wisconsin grabbed the early lead with two runs in the first inning on Wednesday night.  Jesús Made was at first base with two outs.  Marco Dinges lined a ball off the wall in center 405’ from the plate.  Made scored without a play, but Dinges slipped on a wet first base and went down.  He would get back up and return to first for an RBI single.

Dinges showed no ill effects from the stumble as he went from first to third on a single to right by Josh Adamczewski.  Luiyin Alastre drove in Dinges with a single for a 2-0 lead.

The Cubs got to Wisconsin starter Ryan Birchard in the bottom of the second as they loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single.  Kade Snell drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Birchard ended the inning with a strikeout.

Wisconsin had a chance to break the game open in the top of the fourth as they loaded the bases with no outs.  A strikeout and a 1-2-3 double play ended the threat.  A hard downpour ended the game for Wednesday.

When play resumed on Thursday afternoon, the score stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth.

 

Bishop Letson had Edgar Alvarez at first with two outs.  Ariel Armas sent a routine fly ball to center that Daniel Guilarte dropped.  Alvarez raced around to score the tying run.  Miguel Pabon extended the inning with a single to send Armas to third.  Then, Kade Snell singled on a 1-2 pitch to drive in Armas with the run to make it 3-2.

The Rattlers rallied in the top of the seventh with an unearned run.  Luke Adams reached on catcher’s interference with one out and went from first to third on a single by Made.  Andrew Fischer drove in Adams with a sacrifice fly to even the score.

Letson worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh to go four innings with one walk and five strikeouts.

The eighth inning was frustrating for Wisconsin.  They loaded the bases with one out against Jackson Kirkpatrick, the fourth South Bend pitcher of the game.  However, Kirkpatrick escaped by striking out Guilarte and getting Adams to ground out to short.  Wisconsin left ten runners on base in the game.

Anthony Flores, who had not allowed a run over six innings in his last four outings, relieved Letson for the bottom of the eighth.   Alvarez singled to start the inning.  He would jog home after Kalmer’s home run to the left field bleachers gave the Cubs a 5-3 lead.

Kirkpatrick pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the game.

The regularly scheduled game is set to start at 6:35pm CDT.

The area's cross country teams will head to two different cross country invitationals on Thursday.

 

Luxemburg-Casco, Appleton East, Ashwaubenon, Bay Port, De Pere, Denmark, Freedom, Gillett, Green Bay East, Green Bay Southwest, Green Bay United Wrestling, Kewaskum, Kewaunee, Kimberly, Laconia, Lena, Manitowoc Lincoln, Manitowoc Lutheran, Mukwonago, New London, Notre Dame Academy, Oconto Falls, Oneida Nation, Peshtigo, Plymouth, Pulaski, Sevastopol, Seymour, Shawano Community, Southern Door, Waterford, Wausau West, West De Pere, Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Winneconne, and Wrightstown will race at UW-Green Bay's Shorewood Cross Country Course for an invite host by De Pere. Races begin at 4 p.m.

 

 

Sturgeon Bay will head to Green Bay's Josten Park to battle Bonduel, Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical, NEWCHAA (Northeast Wisconsin Christian Homeschoolers Athletic Associaton), Omro, Providence Academy (Green Bay), Ripon, Sheboygan Falls, and Sheboygan North beginning at 4 p.m.

 

Gibraltar will cruise past Green Bay to Kiel where they will face Valders, Little Chute, Campbellsport, Chilton, Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah, Hilbert, Mishicot, New Holstein, Oostburg, Port Washington, Random Lake, Roncalli, Two Rivers, Washington County Home School Athletics, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, St. Mary's Springs Academy, Reedsville, Denmark, and St. Ignatius - Chesterton Academy at 4 p.m.

After facing less common opponents at tournaments across the state to start the season, the area's volleyball teams will face their conference opponents on Thursday night.

 

Matches include Luxemburg-Casco heading to Wrightstown, Southern Door traveling to Peshtigo, Sturgeon Bay visiting Oconto, Kewaunee hosting Gibraltar, and Algoma playing at NEW Lutheran in Green Bay. All of the matches begin at 7 p.m.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and South Bend Cubs could not finish what they started on Wednesday night at Four Winds Field.  The contest was halted by rain with the Rattlers leading 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Wisconsin had a 2-0 lead after two-out, RBI singles by Marco Dinges and Luiyin Alastre in the top of the first inning. South Bend loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third.  They managed one run on a sacrifice fly by Kade Snell.  Starting pitcher Ryan Birchard ended the rally with a strikeout.  The Rattlers had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the fourth but did not add to their lead before rain stopped the game,

 

Wednesday’s game will resume on Thursday at 4:35pm CDT and played to its conclusion.  The regularly scheduled game is now a seven-inning game and will start approximately thirty minutes after the end of the suspended game. 

Andrew Fischer, the number one pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2025 draft, broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out, two-run double in the top of the seventh inning to put the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers ahead of the South Bend Cubs.  The Rattlers would tack on two more runs in the ninth on the way to a 6-3 victory over the Cubs Tuesday night at Four Winds Field.

 

The Timber Rattlers (54-71 overall, 20-40 second half) got a little help to score the first run of the game.  Kay-Lan Nicasia sent a popup to foul territory behind third base.  Drew Bowser overran the ball and missed it.  Nicasia made the most of his second opportunity by singling and stealing second base.  Daniel Guilarte singled to knock in Nicasia for a 1-0 lead.

Nicasia made it 2-0 with a long two-out, solo home run to right in the fourth.

South Bend (53-73, 30-30) loaded the bases with no outs against Wisconsin starting pitcher Tanner Gillis in their half of the fourth.  Alexis Hernandez drove in a run with an infield single.  Then, Gillis escaped the inning with two strikeouts and a lineout to left.

 

The Cubs took advantage of a Wisconsin mistake to score the tying run in the bottom of the sixth.  Reliever Jack Seppings looked like he got the first out of the inning on a fly ball to right by Leonel Espinoza.  However, Nicasia dropped the ball for an error.  Espinoza would steal second to get into scoring position.  Ariel Armas singled to center with two outs and Espinoza raced home with the tying run.

The game appeared to be heading to the seventh inning stretch tied 2-2.  Luke Adams drew a walk with two outs.  Jesús Made followed with a single to right.  Fischer lined a 1-1 pitch from lefty reliever Cole Reynolds over the head of Rafael Morel in right to score both runners for a 4-2 lead.

In the top of the ninth, the Rattlers added two insurance runs.  Guilarte singled and Adams walked.  A wild pitch moved both runners up a base.  Made drove in Guilarte with a sacrifice fly.  Juan Baez added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

South Bend tried to rally in their half of the ninth against reliever Stiven Cruz, who had pitched a perfect eighth inning.  The first two Cubs to bat in the ninth reached on a walk and a single to put runners on the corner.  The only run they could manage out of that was a one-out, sacrifice fly from Kade Snell.  Cruz ended the game on a grounder to short.

Fischer went 3-for-4 with a walk to go along with his two RBI.  Made, the #1 prospect in the Brewers system was 2-for-4 for his eleventh multi-hit game in 23 games as a Rattler.  Guilarte and Nicasia also had two hits in the game.  Adams walked three times.

The Cubs have lost seven in a row.  Wisconsin snapped a three-game losing streak with Tuesday’s win.

 

Game two of the series is Wednesday night at Four Winds Field.  Ryan Birchard (4-8, 3.93) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  South Bend has named Kevin Valdez (2-3, 4.82) as their starter.  Game time is 6:05pm CDT. 

Three area soccer teams begin their week with their first classes of the new school year during the day and matches in the afternoon and early evening.

 

Algoma will play at home against Freedom at 4:30 p.m. while Sturgeon Bay welcomes Luxemburg-Casco at 6 p.m.

Some of the area's volleyball teams will chase their first day of school with matches this evening.

 

Matches include Sturgeon Bay playing in a quad at Seymour with Little Chute and Pulaski joining in at 5 p.m. and Sevastopol visiting Reedsville for a 7 p.m. opening serve.

With the regular season complete and stats tallied, the Door County Baseball League has announced its 2025 Awards.  The Batting Championship Award goes to Washington Island’s Luke Geiger, with a batting average of .452.  Batters with over a .400 average this year include Geiger .452 28x62, Austin Rohe (Kolberg) .434 23x53, Alec Schartner (West Jacksonport) .432 16x37, Tom Sawyer (Sister Bay) .426 23x54, Jack Peterson (Kolberg) .413 19x46, and Trevor Reinhardt (Kolberg) .409 24x59.  In addition, the DCBL Managers voted Trevor Reinhardt, Kolberg Braves, as Pitcher of the Year.  Reinhardt finished with 109 strikeouts and allowed 16 runs in 83.1 innings during the regular season. DCBL Managers also voted Charlie Wood, Baileys Harbor, Manager of the Year.  Wood bought his team out of a long losing streak to a 7-7 season.

 

The Kolberg Braves captured the Post-Season Championship Title with a 7-0 win over the Sister Bay Braves. 

 

Photo of awards presentation:

League Vice President Tom Demmin presents awards to Pitcher of the Year, Trevor Reinhardt, Manager of the Year, Charlie Wood, and Batter of the Year, Luke Geiger.