Muskego Impact Opens Season with Split

The Muskego Impact opened their 2013 season this past Sunday at historic Horn Field looking to repeat as eastern division champions in the Land O’ Lakes baseball league.  They were only able to split a doubleheader with the North Shore Knights.  The Impact pounded the Knights in the first game 13-0, but they were stymied in the second game 3-1.

In Sunday’s first game, they looked as though they picked up where they left off last season as they pounded out 12 hits and scored 13 runs in just 4 inning as they run ruled the Knights.  The impact jumped on the Knights with 6 runs in the second inning with the help of doubles by Joe Kooping and Kevin Schoenbach.  Nick Schmidlkofer’s double in the third inning plated another 3 runs and the Impact picked up 4 more runs in the fourth to finish off the Knights.   Leading the hitting barrage for the Impact were George Simmons, Schmidlkofer and Kooping as they collect 2 hits each.  

Even more impressive then the Impact’s offensive display in the first games was the pitching of Dave Mihlshimmer as he pitched a one-hitter, striking out 6 and only walking 2.  He was in total control working well with battery mate, catcher Josh Beatka.

In the second game, the Impact’s bats went silent as the Knight’s starter and winning pitcher, Luke Erickson, struck out 8 over 4 innings and reliever, Joel Sharon, finished by allowing the one run over the final 3 innings.  The Impact were only able to muster up two hits by veterans Joe Kooping and Nick Blanchett and Jake Jewell drove in Kooping for the lone run.

The Impact’s pitching kept them in the game, much like the Milwaukee Brewer’s pitching in many of their May games, but the bats never got going.  Luke Rozmarynowski pitched 5 innings allowing only 2 runs on 5 hits, striking out one and walking 2.  Josh Beatka pitched the final 2 innings allowing one run on 3 hits, striking out 2 and walking one. 

The Impact play on the road for the next couple of weeks returning to Horn Field on Father’s Day to take on Racine Kiwanis, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.  Come out and see some good baseball and cheer on the home team much like some of the Muskego Storm teams did this past Sunday.  Coach Rick Henneberry commented how it was nice to see those kids out there enjoying the day.