The New Richland Jazz American Legion baseball team is off to a 1-3 start for the season.
The Jazz upended Adams 7-6 in the season opener at Legion Field, then fell 8-1 to Stewartville, 4-1 to JWP and 6-2 to Dodge Center. The team is again coached by Jake Staloch, assisted by Drew Paukert and Ed Dahle.
Jazz 7, Adams 6
John Hubly led the Jazz to victory Tuesday, June 9, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run. Sam Prigge, C.J. Schiltz, Trai Wicks and Eli Lutgens also hit safely, with Prigge and Lutgens driving in runs. Prigge drew two walks and scored twice.
Jack Schultz started on the mound for New Richland and pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out eight. Prigge fanned two in relief.
The Jazz opened the scoring with two in the bottom of the first, adding one each in the second and third, two in the fourth and capping the scoring in the fifth.
“The boys played great baseball,” said Staloch. “We were able to jump on Adams right away and we were able to keep scoring to hold the lead throughout the game. Jack pitched very well and kept the Adams hitters off balance. Sam started his Legion season off great by reaching base three times and scoring twice.”Stewartville 8, Jazz 1
The Jazz was overpowered by Stewartville at Legion Field Wednesday, June 10.
Dempsey Tucker took the pitching loss, giving up seven earned runs on 11 hits, with three walks and four strikeouts in four innings. Cole Staloch struck out two in three innings of relief.
Players with hits were Staloch, Hubly, Wicks and Lutgens.
“We played a very tough Stewartville team,” said Coach Staloch. “We were without some key starters, but the younger players were able to step in and play some good baseball and get some key at bats to help them see what varsity baseball is all about. We were a little over matched and could only supply Dempsey with four hits. Dempsey had a rough time on the hill, but we are eager to continue building and becoming better as a ball team.”
JWP 4, Jazz 1
Lutgens and the defense held JWP to four hits but the Jazz could not stop the home team from scoring as many runs Friday, June 12. Lutgens finished with seven strikeouts through five innings, with one inning of relief by Prigge.
Schiltz and Prigge had the lone hits.
“We struggled with our hitting,” said Staloch. “Eli put together a good enough outing on the mound to get the win, but our bats could not help him out.”
Dodge Center 6, Jazz 2
The Jazz improved offensively, collecting more hits and putting runners in scoring position every inning, but could only plate two at Dodge Center Tuesday, June 16.
Schultz started and pitched five innings, striking out five. Prigge again relieved, fanning three.
Prigge, Staloch, Wicks, Schultz and Jason Jongbloedt had one hit apiece.
“We had nine at-bats with runners in scoring position,” said Staloch. “As a team we need to do better at playing fundamental baseball and knowing the situation. The Jazz team has got to improve at these categories in order to stay competitive throughout the summer.”
Post 75 is scheduled to host Medford in a Tuesday evening doubleheader, though the field was under water as of Monday. The team plays at Rochester Thursday and hosts Hayfield in a Saturday doubleheader.