Rivermen fall in Reedsburg

Kalen Mace of the Wisconsin Dells Rivermen Home Talent team watches his delivery into the glove of catcher Kevin Donnelly during the first inning of their contest at Nishan Park in Reedsburg Thursday night. The Rivermen opened up the game well, grabbing a 2-0 lead, but the host Pirates charged right back with three in the bottom of the first on their way to an 8-2 Thursday Night League win. The Rivermen will wrap up its season at home Friday against Richland Center.

A quick start gave them a glimmer, but by the time they strolled out for the second inning, the Rivermen were on their way to another defeat at Reedsburg's Nishan Park Thursday night.

Score-wise, it's been a tough season for the Wisconsin Dells Rivermen Home Talent (Thursday Night League) baseball team - with one game left on their docket, Friday at home against Richland Center, team members are still searching for their first win.

But head coach Tim Baysinger said the hard knocks haven't affected the drive and determination of what is likely the conference's youngest squad.

"We haven't won this season, but we took the first place team (Sauk Prairie) to extra innings and against Black Earth, we lost to them in the last of the last inning. In the other games, we've been there right to the end," said the coach.

"They're handling it fine. After the Mazo game, I told the, I'm damn proud of every one of them. They're a classy team. No cheap shot. Oh, they're frustrated, but they're still coming out and playing as hard as they can."

Thursday's night test wasn't one of the team's best nights though, despite a nice start that saw them up 2-0 against the Pirates before the hosts came up to bat.

By the time the Rivermen came to bat again though, they trailed 3-2 and they never scored again in an 8-2 loss to one of the division's top squads.

Offensively, the Chiefs got things started right away, John Gleason, an Adams-Friendship native doubled and Kevin Crass of Westfield followed with a base hit hits.

Kevin Donnelly was hit by a pitch loading the bags and Jake Keller promptly followed with a one run single.

Reedsburg scored three in its first turn at the plate and added single runs in the second and fourth frames before wrapping it up with another three-spot in the sixth.

Kalen Mace started on the mound for the Rivermen with Trevor McFaul coming on in the fourth.

The team is constantly adding new talent and Thursday night was no different, Phil Showers, a regular with the local Legion squad making his Home Talent debut in relief of regular catcher Donnelly while another local, Kevin Kael also played his first Rivermen contest.

The off season could be interesting and exciting for the locals as they long awaited inclusion in the more competitive Home Talent Sunday Afternoon League could finally become reality.

Rumors of entire league realignment this fall would see the locals get a chance to be included in the mix for next spring.

Whether that happens or not, the locals will be back in May eager to get another season undereway.