Brady Tatro helps Robins down GB Southwest, advance in playoffs

By Craig Marx, Editor

Brady Tatro helped power the Antigo Red Robins to a 5-0 win over Green Bay Southwest on Tuesday night at Kretz Field, giving the Robins their first win of the 2016 WIAA Regional Playoffs and a chance to take on Wausau West on Thursday.

Tatro was almost unhittable on the mound, giving up just one hit to the Trojans during a seven-inning complete game. Tatro struck out seven batters and walked just one, but the sophomore pitcher was also explosive at the plate, going 4-4 with a double and three RBIs.

Brady Tatro on the mound early in the game for the Robins as first baseman Nick Greening gets ready.

“Brady was absolutely fantastic tonight in all facets of the game,” Coach Scott Farmer said. “His pitching was one, if not the best, performances all year. His at-bats were huge and he was clutch all night. He has been like that for us all year.  [I] couldn’t ask for more from Brady - great performance all the way around.”

Senior Max Nowinsky also had an exceptional outing, going 2-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Matt Winter and Arin VerHagen each finished 1-3.

The Robins scored nine runs on the Trojans’ pitching staff, of which Tyler Basten took the loss for Southwest. Basten lasted four innings before being replaced by Daniel Case, giving up six hits and three runs (all earned).

The game was scoreless until the third before Matt Winter hit a single to begin the bottom of the inning, where he was driven in on a Nowinsky base hit following a Collin Meinert bunt. Tatro began his RBI-producing evening with a single to drive in Nowinsky, giving Antigo a 2-0 lead.

Max Nowinsky at the plate against Southwest with Cole Schabow catching.

Moving onward to the fifth, Nowinsky led off with single and was brought in once again by a Tatro base hit, batting in the No. 2 spot. Adding two insurance runs in the sixth inning after a third baseman error helped Alex Nagel reach base and a VerHagen single, Tatro added his last RBIs of the night on a two-out double.

Aside from two infield errors, the Robins played a relatively mistake free game as well, aided by heads-up play from catcher Jake Husnick.

“Once again, Jake was outstanding behind the plate for us as well. [He] called a great game and not many free bases given. He also has been doing that all year for us,” Farmer added. “Defensively, the guys did great. We made the plays that needed to be made and when we did make a mistake nobody got overly upset and did what they needed to do.”

Nick Greening batting in the No. 4 spot for Antigo.

The Robins will now travel to Wausau West to face the Warriors on Thursday, June 2^nd at a time still yet to be determined. Antigo looks to make up for an 11-3 loss to West suffered at home on May 9^th.

“If we come out with the same mentality and focus on Thursday [as we did against Southwest], it is going to be a great game,” Farmer said.