Game Recap: Gretna vs. Bellevue West (DC ELECTRIC)

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A bizarre walk-off balk sealed the win for Gretna as they advanced in the opening round of state against a stout Bellevue West squad with an 11-1 win.

The Thunderbirds, a team entering the game 49-2, struggled all afternoon to get going offensively, mustering only four hits in the five-inning affair. Their lone run ironically came on a double play with Jack Bland hitting, and runners on first and third which cut the lead to 7-1.

However, the story of the game was the bats for the Dragons, as they came out of the gates with energy and got to Bellevue West’s starter, Daniel Lester, for one in the first. With a 1-0 lead, Gretna rode the confidence wave and played with swagger the rest of the game.

Two runners reached to begin the second on a hit-by-pitch and a walk before being bunted over by Jaron Lund. TJ Silliman drove both runners in on a two-run double, giving the Dragons the big hit they needed against the powerhouse Bellevue West.

A fielder’s choice was the second out in the frame before the Dragons poured on four more, two-out runs. Another hit-by-pitch set the table for a two-run double, this time from Mick Huber who finished the day 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

Up 5-0, Rusty Wortman capped off the Dragons big inning with a two-run triple, bringing the Dragon faithful and the Gretna dugout to their feet. Surprisingly, Bellevue West could never find the big hit they desperately needed all day long following a dominant regular season

After a scoreless third, Gretna struck for three more an inning later after an RBI single from Wortman, who went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, for an 8-1 lead. Back-to-back errors from Gage Allen at third base pushed the Dragons building lead to 10-1 in just the fourth frame.

With runners on second and third and two outs following a wild pitch, a balk was called on Connor Zbylut, plating the winning run and giving Gretna an 11-1 win. The Thunderbirds will look to rebound as they suffer just their third loss on the season so far.

 Gretna advances to take on the winner of Papillion La-Vista South at 7:00 p.m., while Bellevue West will take on Westside at 1:00 p.m.

Notable Performances:

+ Mick Huber (Gretna) 3-3 2B, 2 R, 2 RBIs

+ Rusty Wortman (Gretna) 2-3, 3B, BB, 3 RBIs

+ TJ Silliman (Gretna) 1-2, 2B, BB, 2 RBIs

+ Brayden Chaney (Gretna) 1-4, R. 3IP, 3H, 0 ER, 4 K’s

+ Cam Madsen (Bellevue West) 2-3, 2B