Spirits soar past Cardinals in Father’s Day victory | By Craig Larsen

June 16, 2025 – Sussex, Wi – The West Bend Spirits turned Father’s Day into a hitting clinic Sunday afternoon, pounding out 14 hits in a convincing 10-4 victory over the Sussex Cardinals at Tetzlaff Memorial Field that left no doubt in the team’s mind last weekend was a fluke and they can play with anyone, anywhere.

The Spirits touched up Sussex pitching for 14 hits and 10 runs in a comprehensive 10-4 victory that served as both redemption and revelation—proof that last weekend’s struggles were merely a temporary detour for a club with larger team goals.

While fathers across the state fired up grills and cast fishing lines, the Spirits were busy crafting their own Father’s Day masterpiece, one swing at a time. For the 60th straight year, West Bend found themselves playing away from home on this holiday, a tradition born from the city’s commitment to hosting the annual Little League Father’s Day tournament that transforms Regner Park into part of that baseball center.

The sacrifice was real—manager Willie Mueller and Baseball Association stalwarts Bill Schubert and Chris Zills worked concession stands instead of managing and coaching third base—but the payoff was pure gold.

“These guys understand what we’re trying to accomplish,” said coach Tyler Morrison, who guided the team in Mueller’s absence. “We’ve been preaching the right hitting approach, and these kids are talented enough individually, but more importantly, they’re buying into the team concept that Willie and I preach.”

The proof emerged immediately. Quinn Zills worked Sussex veteran Lucas Keller for a leadoff single up the middle, applying instant pressure and setting the tone for what would become a relentless offensive assault. Cole Lessila executed perfectly with runners in scoring position, moving Zills to second with a two-strike groundout that exemplified the situational hitting West Bend has emphasized all season.

Noah Dreier capitalized with a sharp liner to left field that plated the game’s first run, and Luke Heinkel—who’s been spraying line drives all over creation lately—kept the rally alive with another base hit. When Nathan Crick reached on a wild pitch that allowed Dreier to score, West Bend had seized a 2-0 advantage and established the aggressive tempo that would define the afternoon.

Sussex showed the Gasper grit that’s become their trademark, answering in the second when Mike Colosi singled to center and eventually crossed the plate on an errant wild pitch. The Cardinal faithful clustered around the concession stand erupted, sensing their club might have something brewing. But this would prove to be Sussex’s high-water mark in a contest that increasingly tilted toward the visitors.

The fourth inning belonged entirely to West Bend, a three-run explosion that transformed competitive baseball into systematic demolition. Nathan Crick opened with a crisp single, Ross Olsen followed with a sharp single up the middle that reignited the offensive fireworks, and Blake Church continued the barrage with the first RBI knock of the inning.

Then Brandon Niedfeldt stepped into the box and authored the moment that broke Sussex’s spirit—a slicing laser triple to the right-field corner that cleared the bases and sent the West Bend dugout into pure jubilation. Two runs scored on one swing, turning a close game into what felt like a game put out of reach.

“That’s what happens when you stay aggressive and hunt your pitch,” Morrison said. “Brandon got something he could handle and didn’t miss it. That’s exactly why we moved him from cleanup to the nine-hole today—we wanted him to relax and just swing the bat.”

The Cardinals managed two runs in their half of the fourth, with the legendary Nick Schreiber igniting the rally and Connor Moroder delivering an RBI groundout, but these tallies felt more like footnotes than genuine momentum-shifters.

West Bend continued methodically adding runs like a master craftsman applying finishing touches. Camden Hoier scored in the fifth on Nathan Crick’s double, Blake Church crossed home in the sixth via fielder’s choice, and Niedfeldt manufactured another run in the eighth with the kind of intelligent baserunning that separates good teams from great ones.

The ninth inning provided a fitting finale to the offensive clinic. Pinch-hitter Drake Grod delivered a clutch RBI single—precisely the bench contribution that defines championship-caliber depth—while Niedfeldt capped his stellar performance with a safety squeeze that brought home the final tally.

Ross Olsen led the 14-hit parade with a brilliant 3-for-5 showing that demonstrated his emerging value both defensively and at the plate. Nathan Crick contributed two hits, two RBIs, and two runs in a complete performance, while Niedfeldt’s three-RBI day was highlighted by that game-breaking triple.

“The depth of our lineup is remarkable,” Morrison observed. “When players like Grod can step into reserve roles and contribute immediately, when everyone embraces the team first aspect, and they believe Willie and I that everyone will get their shots to play, that’s when you recognize something special is brewing.”

West Bend’s three pitchers managed the game and one of the best offensive lineups with efficiency. Starter Jayden Hoffmann battled through four innings, delivering crucial outs despite occasional command issues. Adam Lucas earned another victory with three dominant relief frames, while Alec Tomkiewicz sealed the triumph with two hitless, shutout innings that left no doubt about the final outcome.

Lucas Keller absorbed the loss for Sussex despite a determined effort, lasting five innings against West Bend’s relentless pressure attack. Mike Colosi paced the Cardinals with two hits, while the team showed admirable patience in drawing seven walks—the lone bright spot in an otherwise difficult afternoon.

West Bend’s defense contributed two momentum-shifting double plays, including Blake Church’s spectacular outfield assist that ended the fourth inning with a perfect strike to home plate, nailing the runner attempting to score.

“We’ve emphasized defensive fundamentals from the moment these guys arrived,” Morrison stressed. “When you execute defensively like that, you make everyone’s job easier—especially our pitchers.”

The comprehensive victory lifts West Bend to 6-2 and sets the stage for Wednesday’s compelling intercounty showdown against the formidable Kewaskum A’s (22-8). First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Carl M. Kuss Memorial Field, where the Spirits will return after 3 straight road games.

“Kewaskum presents a completely different challenge,” Morrison said. “They play an enormous schedule, they’re battle-tested, and there’s shared history between the rosters. It should be fascinating from a competitive standpoint. I know at one point there was no love lost between us and them.”

The coach smiled as he arrived back at Carl M. Kuss Memorial Field after the game. “We just need to maintain this mental approach and keep playing our brand of team-first baseball. Wednesday will be an excellent opportunity to build some momentum for Friday’s rematch with the division-leading Brookfield Bulldogs.”

With their finest start since the Adam Rohlinger era now established, the Spirits continue proving that quality West Bend baseball—built on fundamentals, team chemistry, and relentless preparation—never goes out of style.

In the heart of Wisconsin’s baseball country, where summer afternoons are cherished and season dreams take flight, the West Bend Spirits are constructing something worth watching, one game at a time.

Next Game: Kewaskum A’s (22-8) at West Bend Spirits (6-2), Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 p.m. at Carl M. Kuss Memorial Field in Regner Park, West Bend, Wisconsin

Box Score

West Bend Spirits 10, Sussex Cardinals 4

Game Info:

• Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025

• Location: Tetzlaff Memorial Field at Village Park – Sussex, Wisconsin

• Weather: Mostly Sunny – 72 degrees

• Records: West Bend Spirits (6-2), Sussex Cardinals (3-4)

Line Score

WP: Adam Lucas (2-0) LP: Lucas Keller (1-2)

WEST BEND SPIRITS

• 2B: Nathan Crick

• 3B: Brandon Niedfeldt

• CS: Luke Heinkel, Drake Grod

• E: Camden Hoier, Noah Dreier, Colyn Lessila

• WP: Jayden Hoffmann

• HBP: Jayden Hoffmann, Adam Lucas

• Pitches-Strikes: Jayden Hoffmann 78-41, Adam Lucas 56-38, Alec Tomkiewicz 15-11

• Batters Faced: Jayden Hoffmann 21, Adam Lucas 13, Alec Tomkiewicz 6

SUSSEX CARDINALS

• HBP: Eli DiCarlo, Tanner Moroder

• SB: Eli DiCarlo, Colton Martell, Brayden Gorecki

• E: Connor Moroder, Brayden Gorecki

• WP: Lucas Keller, Tristan Arnold

• Pitches-Strikes: Lucas Keller 82-49, Tristan Arnold 23-13, Connor Moroder 51-42

• Batters Faced: Lucas Keller 25, Tristan Arnold 7, Connor Moroder 13