Wooden Shoes Win Ninth Consecutive Sectional Championship; Play Monday in Super

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes captured their ninth consecutive sectional championship Saturday, winning the Flora 2A Sectional with a 6-1 victory over the Staunton Bulldogs. The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. 

Along the way, Teutopolis has won three state championships, including last season.

The Shoes got great pitching and used the home run bat to win the sectional title, defeating a Staunton team that was 24-4 coming into the game.

Things didn't start well, as Eric Kremer surrendered a leadoff home to Marcus Karl. The Shoes got the run back in the bottom of the inning, though, as Lee Hardiek homered to almost the same spot to make it 1-1.

The Shoes took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Hardiek singled to start the inning, but was picked off first. With two outs, though, Kremer singled and Drew Thoele doubled down the right field line to drive in the run and give the Shoes the lead.

A scary situation developed in the fourth. With one out, Kremer went to a 2-0 count on the batter and then grabbed his right arm at the elbow. He told Coach Justin Fleener he felt something "pop". Kremer moved to first base and Hardiek came on to pitch and finished the game. Fleener said they'll be examining Kremer to find out his status as far as any more mound appearances.

The Shoes got some breathing room with two runs in the fifth. Cody Jansen led off the inning with a line drive home run over the left field fence. Kremer singled and courtesy runner Luke Ungrund stole second and came around to score to make it 4-1.

T-Town added two runs in the sixth when Hardiek tripled and Jansen hit a high majestic drive out to left for his second homer of the day.

Staunton caused some concern by putting runners on the corners with two outs, but a force call at second ended the game.

Kremer got the win to go to 7-0 on the spring with one save. He pitched 3-1/3 innings before the injury, allowing one run on the home run but retiring the next 10 batters he faced. Hardiek went 3-2/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits with one walk and a hit batsman.

At the plate for Teutopolis: Lee Hardiek--home run, triple, single, two runs scored, RBI...Cody Jansen--two home runs, single, two runs scored, 3 RBI...Eric Kremer--three singles, run scored...Luke Ungrund--stolen base, run scored...Drew Thoele--double...Clint Weber--single, walk...Ethyn Dust--double...Mitch Hemmen--single

Teutopolis is now 28-6 on the season. The Wooden Shoes will play Monday at 5pm at GCS Ballpark at Sauget in 2A Super-Sectional action against Benton, who won 3-2 in 10 innings to win the Harrisburg Sectional. We will have the game on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com.