De Pere rallied for 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull away and defeat Manitowoc 8 to 1 in the opening game for both teams at the 2024 AAA American Legion State Tournament in Wisconsin Rapids Tuesday.
After De Pere scored a run in the bottom of the third, Manitowoc would tie the game in the top of the fourth on a single by Zachary Bradl.
De Pere scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth to make the lead 2 to 1, then broke the game open with a six-run, seven-hit outburst in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game away.
Milo Upton led De Pere offensively, going three for four, including a two-run home run, while Damien Gretz and Kameron Braun each had two hits for Manitowoc.
Easton Arendt was De Pere’s starting and winning pitcher. He pitched six and a half innings, allowing one run on seven hits, walking two, and striking out five.
Eyan Desseiller pitched well for Manitowoc, going five innings, giving up two runs (only one earned) on four hits, walking two, and striking out nine De Pere hitters.
Manitowoc 19u Post 88 will face the loser of Eau Claire and Marshfield in a consolation game on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.
