A Championship Night in Waukesha
The Waukesha Bearing Brewers captured the Little League Championship on Tuesday night, edging Tommy's Braves 14-9 in a game that swung dramatically after an early setback. What began as a 3-0 hole quickly vanished as the Brewers erupted for six runs in the opening inning, setting a tone that would carry them through the contest.
Kruz Mishler opened the scoring with a leadoff double, and the rally continued as Ian Burdick added a single and Brantley Mattek delivered a triple, each contributing to a nine‑batter onslaught that produced a 12‑3 lead by the second inning. The Brewers extended their advantage to 12‑3 in the second inning with nine batters sent to the plate, showcasing a relentless offensive attack.
Braves Fight Back, Brewers Stay Steady
The Braves answered with three runs in the top of the third, cutting the margin to 12‑6, but the Brewers responded with a run in the bottom of the third to push the lead to 13‑6. Further scores followed, including a two‑run burst in the fourth that stretched the advantage to 14‑7 before the Braves added two more in the fifth to finish at 14‑9.
Pitching was a collective effort; Mishler started on the mound, allowing four runs over two and one‑third innings, after which Ian Burdick threw two and one‑third innings of his own, surrendering three runs, and Jace Hable closed the game with one and one‑third innings that yielded two runs.
Offensively, the Brewers finished with 16 hits, highlighted by Burdick’s perfect 4‑for‑4 performance, while a host of teammates — including Leo Korbisch, Mattek, Hable, and Grayson Arrowood — each recorded multiple hits. The team also drew six walks, a patience that proved vital in key moments.