Lacey strikes out 17 at A’s win

Collin Lacey gave up just three hits and struck out 17 as the Casco Athletics beat Algoma 8-3 Sunday night to win its first Shoreland League Baseball title since 2005.

Casco and Denmark tied with 10-2 marks, but the A’s won the tie-breaker. Manitowoc finished 9-3, Algoma 6-6, Kewaunee and Ashwaubenon both 3-9 and Two Rivers 1-11. Casco won seven straight to close out the regular season.

Against Algoma, the A’s had just four hits but took advantage of 12 walks on the night, including three each from Mitch Jandrin and Patrick Daniels. The Penguin’s lone hits came from Carson Leist, Jaden Diller and Jack Peterson.

Also Sunday, Kewaunee got two hits each from Brett Paulsen, Joe Anderson and Collin Spranger in an 8-7 win over Ashwaubenon, then beat the Lookouts 6-5 Tuesday. Cal Ihlenfeldt had two hits and Paulsen two RBI and a win on the mound, including eight strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the ‘Guins beat Two Rivers 6-1 last Wednesday, getting three hits and a winning pitching effort from Sam Zirbel.

On Tuesday, Algoma got home runs from Diller and Matthew Malvitz and three hits from Brady Kita in an 8-5 win. Diller and Peterson each had two hits. Charlie Prokash earned the win, allowing two hits and no earned runs over three innings, striking out three.

Tuesday’s victories by Algoma and Kewaunee meant they’d face off for a shot at the last spot in the playoffs Thursday night. The winner will likely be the #4 seed and would open against Casco Monday while Denmark would take on Manitowoc.