GRAND CHUTE, WI – Behind a dominant performance on the mound by Carter Kutz, the Hartford Orioles advanced to the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals with a 4-1 win over Hortonville Monday at Fox Cities Stadium.
Kutz, a University of Nebraska commit, was nearly untouchable, tossing a complete-game two-hitter while striking out 13 Hortonville batters. The right-hander allowed just one earned run and walked two across seven innings, keeping the Polar Bears off balance all afternoon.
Offensively, Hartford made the most of its opportunities, striking early and adding just enough insurance along the way. The Orioles pushed across two runs in the top of the first, capitalizing on a hit batter and back-to-back hits. They added single runs in the third and fifth innings to stretch their lead.
Hortonville responded with a run in the bottom of the first, thanks to a sacrifice fly by Kameron Chronis after Turner Kuhnke led off with a triple. But that would be all the offense the Polar Bears could muster against Kutz, who retired the final seven batters he faced.
Brady Helms was a key spark for Hartford at the plate, reaching base twice, scoring two runs, and laying down a sacrifice bunt. Ethan Birkel, Joe Landgraf, and Kaiden Romens each delivered RBIs for the Orioles, while Laufenberg, Kuechler, and Brandner added production on the bases.
Hortonville starter Taiven Gass was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) in three innings, walking three and striking out four. Griffin Jens pitched four strong innings of relief, giving up one unearned run on four hits with one strikeout.
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