Bobcats clinch share of crown
POSTED: May 16, 2008
LAONA, Wis. — Florence, behind the pitching of Nate Steber and hitting of Jake Church, belted Laona-Wabeno 12-1 in five innings to gain at least a share of the Northern Lakes Conference baseball title here Thursday.
Coach Dave LaPoint’s Bobcats (11-2 overall and in the NLC) can wrap up the title outright Tuesday in Dunbar when they face Goodman-Pembine.
Earlier in the week, Florence split one-run games with Crandon (win) and second-place Elcho (loss).
“I’m pretty proud of this group to get a share of the title,” LaPoint said. “This has been a good and bad week, but it’s good to get in these tight games (with the state tournament coming up).”
Steber, who improved his record to 7-0, scattered three hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.
Church fueled the offense with two home runs and two doubles. Steber also homered and drove in three runs. Andrew Vassar provided two singles.
After the Rebels closed to 2-1 in the first inning, Florence erupted with six runs in the second inning, two in the fourth and two in the fifth.
White Lake 20
Goodman/Pembine 6
WHITE LAKE, Wis. — Scott Popelka led the Lakers with three doubles and seven RBIs in the Northern Lakes Conference baseball game.
Patriots pitcher Andrew Janczy led the offense with a pair of hits.
