Union Grove's Hansel Lifts Broncos Over No. 22 Westosha Central

UNION GROVE, WI - Both Union Grove and Westosha Central have been flirting with the Power 25 rankings all year. Both have picked up big wins throughout the year and took losses to unlikely candidates. Westosha Central came into the contest as the No. 22 ranked team in the state with a five game win streak that included a pair of Power 25 wins. But Union Grove was looking to knock off the Falcons for the second time this year, and sent their ace to the mound in junior RHP Luke Hansel.

Westosha Central countered with their top arm in junior righty Austin Glidden, setting the table for a small ball type game with runs coming at a premium. The matchup pitted two of the top uncommitted 2019 RHP’s in the state, and out of the gates Glidden and Westosha Central looked as though they may have the upper hand.

Westosha Central loaded the bases in the first with nobody out, putting some early pressure on Hansel and the Broncos. After giving up a run on a taylormade unassisted 6-3 double play, Hansel managed to wiggle out of it and keep the damage to a minimum.

Glidden kept Union grove at bay through the first two innings, holding on to the slim 1-0 lead. But the Broncos broke out in the third and Hansel helped his own cause. Command issues got to Glidden in the third and a bases loaded walk to catcher Alec Spang tied things at 1-1. The next batter, Hansel, ripped a clean single through the six hole for a two-run single and a 3-1 Union Grove lead.

Hansel buckled down after grabbing the lead, facing the minimum in the fourth and fifth innings. Falcons’ Sam LeFebve inched Westosha Central closer with an RBI double in the sixth, making it 3-2, but Hansel wiped out the threat with a big strikeout and got away with a sharp line out to the second baseman to end the inning.

Westosha Central put up a last ditch effort in the seventh after sacrificing a leadoff single into scoring position. Hansel again beared down to get a big strikeout on three straight curveballs and a flyout to right field to end the contest and earn the complete game win.

Hansel put in a gritty performance in which he gave up nine hits through seven innings, but his six strikeouts came in clutch situations and used a sharp 12/6 curveball to get back into counts and put away hitters, securing the season sweep of Westosha Central and the Broncos 13th win of the season.

Stay tuned for Scout Blog notes later this week. 

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