GOING THE DISTANCE … Cam Bukowski delivers a pitch in a complete game 5-2 win over Napoleon. Bukowski allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six.
(PHOTOS BY BREANA RELIFORD / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
HOT CORNER … Bryan third baseman Jacob Uran charges in to field a ball in an ACME baseball district win over Napoleon.
By: Joe Blystone
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
BRYAN (July 2, 2025) – Sometimes it’s the plays you don’t make that will lose a game. Napoleon turned a three-out sixth inning, into a seven-out, five-run Bryan rally the boosted the Golden Bears to a 5-2 ACME District 1, first round win at Bryan.
Napoleon’s lefty Paul Sausser deserved better. For five innings of shutout ball, Sausser had allowed just one hit and not walked a hitter with a mix of breaking pitches with a timely fastball.
Napoleon scored a run in the second off Cam Bukowski, who was nearly as effective.
Trenton Ehlers bloop double to right, a sacrifice and a wild pitch put the Wildcats in the lead 1-0. The next inning, Nolan Bickel’s single and a pair of passed balls put a runner on third with no outs.
Bukowski walked the next hitter, and when the Wildcats executed the walk-off first base play, Bickel scored while the Bears got an out in the rundown to make it 2-0.
For the next five innings, Bukowski made it stay that way as he gave up just two more hits and walked just two.
As masterful as Sausser was, things came unraveled and unglued defensively for Napoleon in the bottom of the sixth.
Tucker Miller’s little pop toward first was allowed to hit grass and when it did, the ball took a left turn for an infield hit to start the inning.
After Sausser got an out on a flyball, Hunter Watson lined a single to center and when there was miscommunication on Cade Carlin’s bunt, Bryan had loaded the bases with one down.
Carter Luce hit a pop fly into left and for some reason, the left fielder pulled up, letting the ball hit to score one run.
Bukowski followed with a ringing double to left center for two more runs that gave Bryan the lead.
Cole Carlin then followed with a ground ball that should’ve been fielded by the first baseman, but rather than going for the ball, he went to the bag believing the second baseman had a play.
Instead, the ball bounced into right for another run scoring hit, and a 4-2 Bryan lead. John Dalrymple then lined a double to right center to plate the fifth tally of the frame.
Bukowski threw the complete game win, getting six strikeouts while giving up only four hits.
NAP 011 000 0 – 2 4 2
BRY 000 005 x – 5 8 0
Records: Napoleon 2-6, Bryan 7-5
WINNING PITCHER: Bukowski (7 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts)
LOSING PITCHER: Sausser (5.2 innings, 8 hits, 5 runs, 3 earned, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts) Other: Rocha
LEADING HITTERS: (Napoleon) Ehlers – double; (Bryan) Dalrymple – double, RBI; Bukowski – double, 2 RBIs; Miller – double, single