Wave hold on to knock off Standing Bear (2024)

LINCOLN- Thanks to building a big lead, the Wave Juniors were able to hold on and knock off the Lincoln Hotel Group Juniors by a final of 7-5 during the Grizzly Classic Tournament at Lincoln Standing Bear on June 14.

In the top of the first, Jace Kroger reached base via a walk with one out. He was then driven in by Trevor Roesler who singled to third base.

Three more singles from Braxton Culver, Holden Kroese, and Carsen Malcolm and a double laced to left field by Caleb Rine increased the Wave’s edge to 6-0.

After the LHG juniors put up one run in the bottom of the first and third, Waverly answered right back by scoring in the top of the fourth.

Starting the at-bat for the Wave with a double to left field was Colt Kerchal. His courtesy runner Brett Ratkovec scored on a passed ball at home later in the inning which made it 7-2 in favor of Waverly.

Standing Bear continued to pull back into the game with two runs in the fourth and then another in the fifth which cut their deficit down to two.

In their final at-bat, the LHG juniors had a prime chance to tie the game with two runners on and one out. The Wave stood strong and induced a double play in the next at-bat to end the game.

All driving in one run for Waverly in the victory were Roesler, Culver, Rine, Kroese, and Malcolm.

Cody Nienhuesser started the game for the Wave and pitched one inning, gave up one earned run, and struck out one batter. Going four innings in relief with four earned runs given up was Kroger while Maddox Hasenkamp pitched one inning and gave up no earned runs.

Next up for the Wave was a matchup with the JIH Braves 17U in the winner’s bracket later Friday. In a contest that was close throughout, Waverly was defeated by a final of 5-1.

After JIH put up one run in the top of the first, the Wave struck back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Crew Verkamp and Malcolm led things off with a double and single to left field. A groundout from Roesler in the next at-bat brought Verkamp to the plate and tied up the game.

The score remained knotted at 1-1 heading into the top of the seventh. With two outs, the Braves loaded the bases and struck for four runs that won them the game.

Driving in one run in the loss was Roesler. He was also the starter on the mound and pitched 6.2 innings, gave up no earned runs, and struck out four batters.

Coming on and pitching 0.1 innings for Waverly was Hasenkamp who gave up no earned runs.

On June 15, the Wave was matched up with the Portal Ridge Dental Juniors. Behind a 14-hit performance, Portal Ridge defeated Waverly 18-4.

The runs for the Wave came in the second and sixth where they put up two runs apiece.

Getting at least one hit and driving in one run were Verkamp, Kroger, Roesler, and Ratkovec. Also getting the start on the mound was Verkamp who pitched 5.2 innings, gave up eight earned runs, and struck out three batters.

To close out the week, Waverly played at the Genesis Contracting Juniors. Waverly struggled offensively in the contest and were knocked off 11-0.

As of the paper’s deadline on June 18, there were no stats provided for the contest.

This week the Wave had a home game against Zig Drywall on June 19 and then were on the road at the Beatrice Neapco Juniors on June 20.