The Thorp/Owen-Withee Redhawks battled through a tight pitchers’ duel Thursday, April 23 but could not overcome a big fourth inning in a 7-2 loss to the Gilman Varsity Pirates.
For the first three innings, the Redhawks matched Gilman frame for frame behind a strong effort from starting pitcher Clay Mueller. The right-hander kept the Pirates scoreless early while the Redhawks looked to break through offensively against Gilman’s Dawson Robinson.
The game shifted in the fourth inning when Gilman capitalized on opportunities to score five runs and take control. Despite the setback, the Redhawks continued to compete and showed resilience late in the game.
Mueller led Thorp/Owen-Withee offensively with a standout performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring a run. He also created pressure on the bases with two stolen bases. Cooper Rosemeyer, Evan Penterman, and Tegan Treankler each added hits for the Redhawks as the offense began to find rhythm in the later innings.
Thorp/Owen-Withee broke through in the fifth and sixth innings. Peyton Reynolds drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, while Anthony Kotecki came around to score as the Redhawks chipped away at the deficit.
Mueller pitched four innings and allowed four hits while striking out two. Rosemeyer provided relief work over the final innings and struck out two batters.
Redhawks coach Peter Devine said the program’s youth continues to be both a challenge and an investment in the future.
“We are not winning games yet, but we are a very young team,” Devine said. “Sixteen of our 18 players are underclassmen—freshmen and sophomores—and that youth and inexperience shows up on the field at times,” he said. “At the same time, that youth means there is potential and many young players are getting important experience that will benefit them later this year and especially in future years.”
The Redhawks now face Neillsville/Granton Thursday, May 7 at Thorp High School. Game start is 5:00 p.m.