2025 Epic Bombers Shutout Buschmen for Open Nights Crown in Southern Wisconsin
MABL of Southern Wisconsin, Open Nights Division
Epic Bombers 3, Buschmen 0
The Epic Bombers (9-3) secured their fourth MABL of Southern Wisconsin Open Nights Division championship since 2018 with a 3-0 victory over the top-seeded Buschmen (8-3-1) at Stampfl Field in Verona, Wisconsin, on August 21.
The Bombers got off to a quick start against Buschmen ace Will Bailey when leadoff hitter Trevor Schmitt singled on the first pitch of the ballgame. Schmitt stole second and then scored on a two-out single by first baseman Jared Eichorst. The Bombers threatened further damage in the first when a Rob Capener single and a wild pitch put two men in scoring position. Bailey was able to strike out Bryan Roberts to work himself out of the inning.
Bomber rookie Luke Schwab toed the rubber for the Bombers and struck out two batters while retiring the side in the first. Schwab and Bailey would match easy innings until the Buschmen threatened in the sixth with the score still 1-0.
With one out, Schwab walked speedster Jordan Chester, who stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Having been through the lineup twice and surpassing his highest pitch count for the season, manager Chris Jackson opted to bring in Keaton Stankowski to face the Buschmen’s best hitters in a high-leverage spot. Stankowski rewarded the decision by striking out Bailey to end the threat.
The Bombers tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh when, with two outs, Colin Fitzgerald singled and Josh Higashi walked. Both runners advanced via stolen base to set the stage for Bomber veteran and General Manager Aaron Heerhold to provide the heroics with a two-run single to right field, just out of reach of the right fielder Rayden Schmidt.
The Buschmen threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Buschmen manager and third baseman Carson Bongard drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on Schmidt’s double to right center. Stankowski put the fire out by striking out Jeremy Johanski and inducing a soft lineout by David Jolly to end the game and earn the save, his second of the season. Schwab (3-1) earned the win for his efforts.
Offensively, the 2025 Bombers were led by Schmitt, who led the league in batting with a .542 average. Bradley Pawlow was their best run producer with two home runs (in the same game) and nine RBI. He also stole five bases. Schwab led the pitching staff with a 0.77 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP, and 12.7 K/9. Kon Kalnajs led the team in K/9 at 13.5.
The Buschmen, who won two games the previous three seasons, earned their first-ever playoff berth under the guidance of first-year skipper Bongard. Bailey struck out 12.5 batters per game, and Johanski led the staff with a 2.87 ERA while winning five games and saving one. At the dish, they were led by Simon Conkey, who batted .423 with nine RBI. Mitchell Hardwick led the team with 12 RBI.