Kill

BHS starting pitcher Mark Kowalke walked four batters and hit one in a five-run first inning for Waunakee, which helped the Warriors to a 14-8 win.

Waunakee had only two hits in the big first inning and was out-hit 13-10 in the game.

After the rocky first frame, Kowalke settled down and gave up five runs over the next four innings against a good hitting team.

The book closed on him after five innings, with Kowalke giving up eight earned runs on seven hits and eight walks. He struck out two.

The Thunderbirds scored a run in the bottom half of the first inning to make it 5-1.

In the third, fourth and fifth innings, they had chances to put a serious dent in the Warrior lead, only to come away with single runs each time.

Down 6-1 in the third, Rob Schultz drew a walk to start the inning and was followed by Kowalke, whose single gave BHS two on with no outs. After two straight fly outs, Cody Holloway hit a low liner into center and off the center fielder's glove for a two-base error, scoring the only run of the inning.

In the fourth, Hayden Silvers and Brady Olson followed suit. Two outs and two batters later, Kowalke lofted a fly ball down the first-base line for an RBI double, making it 7-3.

Nick Labeots started the fifth inning with a double, then went to third and home on consecutive ground outs.

After Waunakee put together a four-run seventh inning and took a 14-4 lead against Holloway, who came in to relieve Kowalke, the Thunderbirds finally put up their first crooked number.

Baraboo put up four runs, forcing Waunakee into a pitching change, but still fell short of making it a photo finish.

Kowalke led Baraboo in hitting, going 4-for-4. Jake Overlien and Luke McGann each had two hits.