Spartans struggling in final week

Brookfield East went into this week's Greater Metro Conference Tournament on a disappointing note, having dropped four of its final six league games.

Coming into last week, the Spartans had dropped three of four games and had looked to right the ship.

But they managed only one win while losing four conference games as well as losing non-conference games at South Milwaukee, 15-11, on Friday and at home to Homestead, 10-3, on Saturday.

After losing at Sussex Hamilton, 11-7, and beating Brookfield Central, 5-4, in eight innings on June 25 and 26, the Lancers lost another heartbreaker at Oak Creek, 5-4, on June 27 as the Knights scored twice in the bottom of the seventh for the comeback win.

Starter Dennis Mistrioty struggled with his control, walking seven, scattering eight hits and striking out two.

But the Spartans still led, 4-3 going into the final inning.

East managed only six hits off Oak Creek hurlers Kahler Cox and winning pitcher Mitch Makarewicz, with Griffin Lynch's homer and two RBIs leading the way for East.

Five days earlier, the Spartans also lost a 7-6 decision to the Knights.

East then lost a 6-4 decision to Marquette on June 28 at home, as the Hilltoppers scored two runs in three innings to win the game.

East took a 1-0 lead in the first, the Hilltoppers then added two runs in the second and third for a 4-1 advantage.

The Spartans added two runs in the bottom of the third, but then Marquette added two more in the sixth for a 6-3 lead.

East managed a run in the bottom of the seventh but couldn't come back.

East's defense made four errors and didn't help starter Tommy Tushaus, who worked six innings, walked one and fanned three.

The Spartans then traveled to South Milwaukee on Friday and dropped a slugfest as Woodring let the bullpen get extended work in the game.

The Rockets led 10-3 through four innings when the Spartans rallied for four runs in the fifth and sixth.

But South Milwaukee countered with one and four runs in the same innings to take a 15-11 lead.

Pat O'Brien scored twice, homered and drove in three runs and Lynch scored twice, singled twice and doubled and drove in a run.

Seedings released for tourney

The Spartans got the fourth seed in the 14-team WIAA Sectional hosted by Waukesha West.

East opens on Tuesday, July 10 against 13th-seeded Waukesha North (4-19) at East.

If the Spartans win, they play either fifth-seeded Sussex Hamilton or 12th-seeded Wauwatosa East on Friday, July 13.

- Tom 'Sky' Skibosh