Ronan Baseball drops three straight in tough stretch

The Ronan baseball team endured a challenging run last week, falling in three consecutive games against Whitefish and Polson to drop to 5-9-1 on the season.

On Thursday, May 1, the Chiefs traveled to Whitefish, where early miscues proved costly in a 6-1 defeat. Whitefish jumped ahead with two runs in the first and added four more in the fourth to pull away. Despite outhitting the Bulldogs 5-2, Ronan was unable to capitalize on offensive opportunities.

Everett Lozeau led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, while Damien Hess added an RBI single in the fourth to bring in Ronan’s lone run. On the mound, Ronan used a trio of pitchers. Liam Jackson opened the game and allowed two unearned runs over 1 1/3 innings. Hess followed with 2 1/3 innings of one-hit relief, though control issues led to five walks and three more runs — only one of them earned. Ben Mitchell closed out the game with a solid 2 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief.

The next day, Ronan faced a hot-hitting Polson squad on the road and struggled to find any offensive rhythm in a 10-0 loss shortened to five innings. The Chiefs were limited to just one hit — a single by Mitchell — while Polson scored in every inning. Ronan again hurt itself with four errors in the field and surrendered seven runs in the first two innings.

Jackson started on the hill but gave up six runs — only two earned — over 1 1/3 innings. Mitchell again pitched in relief, allowing four more runs over 2 2/3 innings.

Ronan returned home on Monday, May 5, for a rematch with the Pirates but couldn’t shake off the slump in an 8-1 loss. A six-run first inning by Polson put the Chiefs in a deep early hole. Despite a better showing defensively, Ronan couldn’t generate enough offense to mount a comeback.

Hunter Luedtke provided the highlight for the Chiefs, driving in a run with a double in the sixth inning. He also had a strong outing in relief, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out four. Hess got the start but struggled to record outs in the first, giving up six earned runs before giving way to Luedtke.

Thursday, May 1

At Whitefish

WHITEFISH 6, RONAN 1

Ronan - 0001000 - 1 - 5 - 4

Wfish - 200400 - 6 - 2 - 3

RONAN HITTING: Hunter Luedtke 0-4, Liam Jackson 0-4, Everett Lozeau 2-3, Ben Mitchell 1-3, Damien Hess 1-2, Treysin Sinclair 0-2, Lucas Johnston 0-3, Denzel Baltz 1-3, Bayland Hess 0-3; RBI: Damien Hess, Bayland Hess; 2B: Lozeau 2

RONAN PITCHING: Liam Jackson (1 and 1/3IP, 1H, 2R, 0ER, 2BB, 2SO), Damien Hess (2 and 1/3IP, 1H, 3R, 1ER, 5BB, 1SO), Ben Mitchell (2 and 1/3IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 1SO)

Friday, May 2

At Polson

POLSON 10, RONAN 0

Ronan - 00000 - 0 - 1 - 4

Polson - 34221 - 10 - 6 - 1

RONAN HITTING: Hunter Luedtke 0-2, Liam Jackson 0-2, Everett Lozeau 0-1, Ben Mitchell 1-1, Damien Hess 0-2, Denzel Baltz 0-2, Lucas Johnston 0-2, Treysin Sinclair 0-2, Bayland Hess 0-2

RONAN PITCHING: Liam Jackson (1 and 1/3IP, 2H, 6R, 2ER, 4BB, 1SO), Ben Mitchell (2 and 2/3IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, 1BB, 1SO)

Monday, May 5

At Ronan

POLSON 8, RONAN 1

Polson - 6000020 - 8 - 7 - 1

Ronan - 0000010 - 1 - 5 - 1

RONAN HITTING: Hunter Luedtke 1-3, Liam Jackson 1-2, Everett Lozeau 0-3, Ben Mitchell 1-3, Damien Hess 1-3, Treysin Sinclair 0-3, Lucas Johnston 0-3, Kevin Pierce 0-2, Bayland Hess 1-2; RBI: Luedtke; 2B: Luedtke

RONAN PITCHING: Damien Hess (2/3IP, 3H, 6R, 6ER, 4BB, 1SO), Hunter Luedtke (6 and 1/3IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 4SO)