SPORTS LINE – by Johnn Peterson

Lake Geneva Badger (10-3) v. Waterford (9-2)   PBR State rank #21

Final: Lake Geneva Badger 0, Waterford Wolverines 1.

Lake Geneva Badger played the first of a home and home contest at Waterford (9-2   PBR State rank #21).  The game was hyped because of the close standings atop the Southern Lakes Conference, and the anticipated pitching matchup of the overall #1 PBR ranked player in Wisconsin, Dylan Questad, and Badger ace Sam Polyock.

Questad came out firing.  The Arkansas ‘comet’ used his 94-95 mph fastball to blow by Badger bats early.  Slicing thru the Badger lineup in the first.  The prep standout impressed the gallery of pro scouts behind the backstop.

Badger ace Sam Polyock matched Questad inning after inning.  He held Waterford’s bats at bay all game.

In the fifth, controversy erupted.  Polyock threw an inside heater to Waterford’s leadoff batter, resulting in a protracted debate as to whether it hit the batter in the hands, or hit the bat on the knob.   The distinct ping of the ball hitting the bat was undeniable, but the umpires awarded the runner first base despite the objections by Badger coaches.  Polyock, now pitching from the stretch, struck out the next batter.  After an intentional walk and a sacrifice bunt, and another intentional walk, Waterford had the bases loaded and two outs.

With two strikes on the batter, Polyock, back pitching from a windup, stepped off the rubber to collect his thoughts, and was called for a balk.  Badger coaches asked for an explanation but didn’t receive one…at least to their satisfaction.  All Waterford’s runners moved up one base on the balk, plating the first run of the game.  Polyock’s next pitch was a strike, ending the inning.

The game ended in a 0-1 pitcher’s duel loss for the Badgers.

Player of the game:  Sam Polyock (P)  Complete game 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (unearned), 7 K’s