Undefeated West Bend West pushes past Menomonee Falls
Spartans advance to WIAA state tournament after 7-3 victory
WHITEFISH BAY - After flipping his glove up into the blue sky, Evan Albrecht embraced catcher Jack Thelen.
The two West Bend West seniors, both of whom lost to eventual state champion Menomonee Falls in last year’s sectional final, were on the winning end, 7-3, against the Indians on Monday at Cahill Park.
“It feels great to go to state,” Albrecht said.
Beneath his sweaty West Bend West cap, a tear began to form around the eyes of coach Bill Albrecht when asked about his team.
And not only did he speak of the aforementioned seniors and how proud he was of his nephew, Evan, who pitched the final out, but he also gave praise to freshman starting pitcher Gavin Hinckley, who starred for the Spartans.
Excusing two walks given up in the fifth inning, which gave way to a Ryan Piontek double for Menomonee Falls and two runs scored, Hinckley toe-tapped his way to a three-hit outing.
“He pitched one hell of a game,” Evan Albrecht said.
Thelen added: “It was a big moment, but Gavin played well beyond his years and hopefully he keeps that up.”
Menomonee Falls (2310) coach Patrick Hansen knew the game was going to be a challenge, regardless. It was one he embraced.
But unlike the early-afternoon contest against Kewaskum (9-14) in which his team won, 4-0, Menomonee Falls’ pitching struggled against West Bend West (22-0). The Indians needed five pitchers in the contest, a frustrating fact for Hansen.
Still, the coach was proud.
“With all the adversity, we were one of the final eight teams, and we ran into a really good team,” Hansen said. “It happens.”
West Bend West was, and has been, exactly that all year — a really good team. Senior first baseman Anthony Schlass has been really good, too.
Against Menomonee Falls, Schlass garnered two singles and a walk and sparked runs in the third and sixth innings. Against Homestead (22-12) earlier in the day, a team coming off 15-straight wins, Schlass manufactured some Monday mojo when he whacked a walk-off hit into right field.
Schlass’ ball scored Evan Albrecht, who needed a head-first dive into first base to beat an out an infield single in the at-bat prior.
“That was awesome,” Schlass said. “When he did that, I was like, we’re winning this thing.”
His attitude was the same in the second game, even after West Bend West’s top-of-the-order was put out in 1-2-3 fashion by Menomonee Falls starter Piontek. The group made a move in the second
inning after Thelen doubled to right-center.
Hinckley scored Thelen on a sacrifice-fly, who gave a double high-five to teammate Nate Block as he crossed home plate. The run proved pivotal for the Spartans, according to Bill Albrecht.
“I’ve seen these guys play ball since they were three-feet high, so to see them have a shot winning a state title brings tears to my eyes,” Albrecht said beneath his jet-black glasses.
Tears now fell, as did the sun. The team began to celebrate, yet they won’t for long.
“We’ve got to finish this thing — two more games,” Schlass said, “and it’ll be even better.”