Spirits fall to Hartland as key injury clouds victory | By Craig Larsen

June 7, 2025 – West Bend, WI – The West Bend Spirits’ hot start to the season hit a significant obstacle Friday night, as they dropped a 9-7 decision to the visiting Hartland Oilers at Carl M. Kuss Memorial Field.

The loss, which drops the Spirits to 4-1 on the season, was overshadowed by concern for ace pitcher Gavin Hinckley, who was forced to leave the game after just two innings with an apparent injury.

The game proved to be a back-and-forth affair that showcased both teams’ offensive capabilities and resilience. Both clubs refused to back down, battling through nine innings of quality baseball.

Hartland scored first in the second inning with a two-out rally. Land O’ Lakes veteran Jake Klekamp, whose steady presence has anchored the Oilers’ lineup for years, reached on a fielder’s choice before being driven home by Mason Ross’s single. Connor Olson immediately followed with another base hit, plating Ryan Richter to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

The Spirits responded quickly in the bottom half, as their first five batters reached base. The rally began when Adam Lucas was hit by a pitch. Walks to Luke Heinkel and Brandon Niedfeldt loaded the bases, setting the stage for Lucas Broske’s RBI walk that scored Lucas. Camden Hoier lined a sharp single to right-center that brought home Heinkel. Quinn Zills completed the three-run rally with another RBI walk, giving West Bend a 3-2 lead.

“We’ve shown all season that we can respond when we’re down,” Mueller reflected after the game. “The guys never panic, and they keep grinding out quality at-bats.”

The score remained 3-2 through five innings before Hartland regained control with a sixth-inning rally. Jake Klekamp, already 2-for-2 with a double, launched a two-run homer to left field – his second extra-base hit of the evening. Ross followed with another RBI single to plate Richter, pushing the Oilers ahead 5-3.

The Spirits answered back in their half of the sixth. Broske drove in Heinkel with an RBI groundout, and Hoier delivered with a single to left that scored Niedfeldt, tying the game at 5-5.

The decisive seventh inning belonged to Hartland. Marco Falletti ripped a two-run double to right field that scored Luke Klekamp and Logan Schill, and Jake Klekamp followed with a sacrifice fly to center that plated Falletti, extending the lead to 8-5.

West Bend’s final stand in the seventh had all the ingredients of a storybook comeback. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the longest tenured bat in West Bend’s lineup, Brandon Niedfeldt stepped to the plate. His line drive had “bases-clearing triple” written all over it until Logan Schill made a diving catch in center field that quickly made what possibly could have been to what possibly was.

“That was the play of the game right there,” Mueller acknowledged with a sly grin and the utmost respect. “Brandon hit it on the screws, but sometimes great defense beats great hitting.”

The Spirits managed to push across two runs – Broske’s sacrifice fly scoring Caleb Horvath and Hoier’s sharp single to right plating Lucas – but the tying run remained stranded at second base, a cruel reminder of how narrow the margin between victory and defeat can be.

The loss of Hinckley after two innings forced Mueller to deploy his bullpen earlier than anticipated, a decision that may have ramifications for Sunday’s crucial matchup with undefeated Brookfield. Alec Tomkiewicz answered the call with four solid innings of relief, allowing four hits and three runs while keeping his team within striking distance. Johnny Nieskes, originally slated to start Sunday’s contest against the Bulldogs, absorbed the loss after surrendering three earned runs in 2⅓ innings. Adam Lucas closed out the contest with two scoreless outs.

“Gavin’s our veteran horse and losing him that early definitely changes our game plan,” Mueller said. “But I’m proud of how our guys stepped up. Alec gave us a chance to win, and we had our opportunities.”

For Hartland, Mason Sherman earned the victory with five workmanlike innings, striking out five while walking six. The Oilers utilized four pitchers, with Luke Klekamp securing the save with a scoreless ninth inning – a fitting end to a night dominated by the Klekamp family’s contributions.

Jake Klekamp’s 3-for-4 performance with three RBIs and a home run epitomized the kind of complete game that separates longtime veteran players from the pack. The versatile veteran also contributed two scoreless innings on the mound, showcasing the depth that makes Hartland dangerous despite their modest 2-2 record.

Logan Schill contributed a 2-for-4 effort highlighted by his spectacular defensive gem, while Mason Ross went 2-for-2 with two walks, demonstrating the patient approach that allowed Hartland to work seven free passes despite striking out just four times.

The Spirits’ offensive attack was paced by Camden Hoier’s outstanding 3-for-4, two-RBI performance – the kind of production that the Spirits hope to constantly get from the West Bend native Lucas Broske drove in two runs despite going hitless, while Alex Pluta collected two hits in five at-bats. Perhaps most impressively, Brandon Niedfeldt drew four walks in just one official at-bat, exemplifying the disciplined approach that has become West Bend’s trademark. As a team, the Spirits worked 12 walks while committing no errors and turning one double play, with shortstop Drake Grod handling eight chances flawlessly.

The contrast in approaches was telling as Hartland collected 11 hits while committing three errors, relying on aggressive hitting to overcome their defensive miscues. West Bend drew 12 walks compared to Hartland’s seven, continuing the patient approach that has served them well all season.

“Our patience at the plate has been outstanding all season,” Mueller noted. “We’re making pitchers work and getting into good counts. That’s going to serve us well going forward. We do have to improve by taking advantage of our opportunities though. Our hitting approach has to improve. Drive the ball the other way. I may have to make a call to the hit doctor, Doug Gonring, and get him down here for batting practice.”

The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Sunday’s noon matchup at McCoy Field in Brookfield pits the 4-1 Spirits against their longtime rivals, the undefeated Bulldogs, in what promises to be another classic encounter between two of the league’s longtime premier organizations.

Despite the setback, Mueller expressed cautious optimism about both his team’s prospects and Hinckley’s condition, though the ace’s availability remains uncertain.

In a season where every game carries playoff implications, Friday’s defeat serves as both a sobering reminder of baseball’s inherent unpredictability and a testament to the quality that defines this level of competition. The Spirits showed they can compete with anyone, but as Mueller knows all too well, showing up and finishing the job are two entirely different propositions.

Luke Heinkel and Brandon Niedfeldt each crossed the plate twice despite combining for zero hits – a statistical oddity that perfectly captures baseball’s beautiful complexity. Jake Klekamp’s two doubles and home run led a balanced Hartland attack that proved just good enough on a night when good enough was all they needed.

The season is far from over; two thirds of the season remain but Friday’s loss serves as a crucial measuring stick for a Spirits team that still harbors championship aspirations. In baseball, as in life, it’s not how you fall that defines you – it’s how you get back up.

Next Game: West Bend Spirits (4-1) at Brookfield Bulldogs (4-0), Sunday, 12:00 p.m. at McCoy Field, Brookfield

Next Game: West Bend Spirits (4-1) at Brookfield Bulldogs (4-0), Sunday, 12:00 p.m. at McCoy Field, Brookfield

Box Score

Hartland Oilers 9, Brookfield Blue Sox 7

Game Info:

• Date: Friday, June 6, 2025

• Location: Carl M. Kuss Memorial Field, West Bend

• Weather: Clear – 73 degrees

• Records: West Bend Spirits (4-1), Hartland Oilers (2-2)

Line Score

WP: Mason Sherman (1-0) LP: Johnny Nieskes (2-1) SV: Luke Klekamp (SV 1)

HARTLAND OILERS

• 2B: Jake Klekamp 2, Ryan Richter, Marco Falletti, Logan Schill

• HR: Jake Klekamp

• SF: Jake Klekamp

• SB: Logan Schill

• CS: Marco Falletti

• E: Mason Sherman, Mason Ross, Jake Klekamp

• WP: Ricky Glowe

• HBP: Ricky Glowe

• Pitches-Strikes: Mason Sherman 86-51, Ricky Glowe 41-15, Jake Klekamp 43-28, Luke Klekamp 21-14

• Batters Faced: Mason Sherman 22, Ricky Glowe 9, Jake Klekamp 9, Luke Klekamp 4

WEST BEND SPIRITS

• HBP: Adam Lucas

• SF: Lucas Broske

• SB: Alex Pluta, Luke Heinkel, Brandon Niedfeldt

• Pitches-Strikes: Gavin Hinckley 37-20, Alec Tomkiewicz 47-28, Johnny Nieskes 43-28, Adam Lucas 9-6

• Batters Faced: Gavin Hinckley 12, Alec Tomkiewicz 16, Johnny Nieskes 12, Adam Lucas 2