Neillsville gets clutch hits to blank Dons

NEILLSVILLE – Facing two of the better pitchers in the Cloverbelt Conference in Kienan McIntee and Jeremy Binder, the Neillsville baseball knew they would be in for a challenge.

Through four innings, Kienen, the Dons’ starter kept things close. In the last of the fifth, the Warriors scored two runs on four hits to extend their advantages and went on to post a 6-0 shutout victory Thursday.

Neillsville improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference, while the Dons slipped to 2-2 overall and in the league.

“5-0, that’s a good start, but I’m looking forward to more,” Neillsville junior Jacob Kunze said. “We came out a little slow, but we adjusted and we were able to get the shutout win.”

The fifth inning the Warriors pounded out four hits, including a triple by No. 5 batter in the lineup, Nate McDonald. Devin Opelt and Logan Matson hit RBI singles to put Neillsville up 5-0.

“We knew we were going to see a good team today,” Neillsville coach Dave Matson said. “Last year was the best I had ever seen at Columbus and they have everyone back.

“We saw two good pitcher who throw hard and we got a good challenge today.”

Neillsville added one more run in the sixth, when lead-off hitter Nathan Peterson walked and was driven in by a single to make give his team a six-run cushion.

“It gives you a little sense of security and you have some room to work with when the guys are scoring,” Kunze said. “It’s nice to know that the guys behind you can back you up with good defense.”

Both teams had three errors, but Neillsville was lucky that they didn’t come back to haunt them.

One of those errors came in the top of the fifth and Columbus loaded the bases with one out. Binder hit a lead-off single down the third base line and Brett Loveland reached on an error. Binder and Loveland were sacrificed over to scoring position and Billy Young drew a walk to load the bases.

Kunze picked off Loveland from second base for the second out and the third out was a pop up to second base, leaving the Dons empty.

“We left a few guys on tonight,” Dons coach Joe Seitz said. “With Neillsville, you need to play for the big inning when you get the chance.

“I thought Kienan kept them off balance and Jeremy came in and threw well too. We knew our pitching would be strong this year and it has been so far.”

WP: Jacob Kunze 3K, 0BB). LP: Kienan McIntee (5K,1BB). Other pitchers: CC, Jeremy Binder (3K, 1BB); Sam Neville (4K, 0BB). Leading hitters: N, Nathan Peterson 2-3 2B, Neal Matson 2-4, Neville 2-4, Nate McDonald 2-4 3B, Kunze 2-3, Logan Matson 2B.

Records: Neillsville 5-0, 4-0 Cloverbelt East; Columbus Catholic 2-2 overall and Cloverbelt East.

Mark Massoglia can be reached at 715-423-7200, ext. 6736. Follow him on Twitter @markmazzy.