Grafton baseball in thick of tight conference race

Grafton High School’s baseball team is still adding pitching depth this late in the season, and the Black Hawks found their offense again as they remain in the hunt for a conference title.

Grafton reeled off three straight victories after a 4-0 home loss to Nicolet on May 6, including a 13-6 win at Slinger on Monday that keeps the Hawks in first place in a tight race for the North Shore Conference title.

Leadoff hitter Will Heinz went 4-for-4 with an RBI and scored three times. Zach Plier went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and scored three runs. Everett Bonk had two hits and three RBIs. Nick Schiller had two hits and an RBI. Jack Schmanski had a hit and an RBI, and Kevin Quello had two hits.

The Hawks bounced back from a 6-1 deficit after one inning by scoring seven in the second, then added more runs while quieting Slinger’s offense.

“We had great energy tonight in the dugout. We strung together good at-bats,” coach Brian Durst said.

Schmanski had an uncharacteristic outing, allowing one hit, six runs (four earned) and four walks while striking out two in one inning.

Plier stepped in to pitch two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and three walks while whiffing two to earn the win. Sam Benter got a four-inning save, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out two without giving up a run.

Benter got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the sixth. Plier caught a fly ball and fired a one-hop strike to Sam Cameranesi at home, who tagged the runner up the line.

“If there was a play that sealed it, that would have been the one,” Durst said.

Grafton is 7-4 and atop the conference with just a rematch against Slinger left. Homestead is 6-3 and Hartford is 5-4. Slinger is 5-4 and Whitefish Bay is 6-5.

At a Campbellsport triangular on Saturday, Grafton won both games. The Hawks first beat the hosts, 10-6.

Plier hit a home run, Peyton McKinney had four RBIs and Austin Van Zuiden had two hits and two RBIs.

Vince Schiller threw four innings and allowed one hit and one run, relieving Hunter Bramstedt, who started and faced six batters in returning from injury.

Quello, a senior who told Durst he was ready to pitch after not throwing since freshman year, didn’t allow a run over the final three innings and earned a save.

The Hawks then beat New Holstein, 7-2.

Heinz whiffed a career-high 12 and allowed three hits in a complete game.

“He was absolutely dominant,” Durst said.

That kept more pitchers available for Monday’s game, he said.

Plier added three hits and two runs. Schmanski had two hits, two RBIs and two runs. Durst also praised Ryan Butts.

“Those guys have been getting it done all year for us,” he said.

Grafton, 10-6 overall, was to host Slinger on Wednesday. The Hawks play at Shorewood on Saturday, May 16, and host West Bend East on Monday, May 18.

Heinz said the team has to maintain focus to stay in the conference race.

“Just stay locked in. Work your butt off,” he said.