A complete game effort from Brandon Berghoefer propelled No. 2 seed and Classic 8 co-Champion Waukesha West into the sectional semifinal against Milwaukee Pius in West's 10-5 win over Catholic Memorial on Friday night.
Allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out three, Berghoefer survived a shaky third inning to post the win and ensure West would be represented in their own sectional Monday. Pius defeated Mukwonago, 6-2, to keep its own hopes alive in the post season.
Waukesha West got a run in the first and two in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Eric Solberg reached on a base hit to lead off the bottom of the first and scored on Brandon Kranz’s RBI double. In the second, Jake Goodwin walked, Solberg again singled with two outs to put two on, and Zack Hastings followed with a two-run double.
After cruising through the first two innings, Berghoefer was nicked for 5 runs on 6 hits in the top of the third. Two hits followed by RBI singles from Matt West and Charlie Walsh got Catholic Memorial on the board. With two out and two on, a two run double from Ted Rindahl gave the Crusaders a 4-3 lead. Sergio Rodriguez then singled in a run, but Rindahl was caught in a rundown between second and third to end the inning with Memorial leading, 5-3.
West responded quickly in its half of the inning. Sending 10 hitters to the plate,
the Wolverines plated five runs to retake the lead, 8-5. The runs came on four hits, two sacrifices, two walks and a Memorial error. Lucas Bourassa had an RBI double, Jake Goodman an RBI single, Eric Solberg a sac fly and Brandon Kranz an RBI fielder’s choice.
From that point, Berghoefer took charge. He faced just 14 more hitters the rest of
the way. He was aided by a 6-4-3 double play to end the fifth. Memorial posted a threat in the sixth when Rindahl reached on a fielder’s choice and Rodriquez walked.
With one out, the West hurler got designated hitter Jake Shamin and pinch hitter Matt Rechner looking to end the inning. The Wolverines scored two insurance runs in the fifth. Solberg reached with his third hit of the game, stole second and scored on an error. Hastings singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Berghoefer’s double.
Waukesha’s 14-hit offense was led by Solberg’s 3 for 3 effort, three runs scored and an RBI.
Hastings was 2 for 2 with a run scored and two RBIs. Berghoefer, Bourassa, and Brandon Wright each had two hits as well. Charlie Walsh, in relief of Matt West with two on and nobody out in the bottom of the third, took the loss for Memorial. He allowed eight hits, five runs and struck out three. West gave up five runs on six hits and walked two.