Courtesy of Myron Fluegge

COURTLAND — The New Ulm Brewers solidified their hold on first place in the Tomahawk East League with a 4-0 victory over the Courtland Cubs on Sunday.

With the win, New Ulm improved to 9-0, while Courtland dropped to third place with a 9-3 record, behind second-place Leavenworth (10-2).

It was a pitcher’s duel throughout most of the game, with each team being retired in order four times. New Ulm bunched together four of their five game hits in the fourth inning to score two runs. Cole Ranweiler led off with a single, went to second on a ground out and then scored on a double by Ayden Jensen. Sam Keckeisen followed with an RBI single. Zach More had the other two hits for the Brewers, hitting a double in the 3rd inning and adding a single in the fourth.

The Brewers other two runs scored in the ninth inning. Jensen was hit by a pitch and Brody Peterson walked. Both runners advanced by stolen bases and then scored with two outs on a dropped fly ball in the outfield.

Courtland’s three hits were by Jaden Drill in the second, a double by Jackson Bode in the third, and a single by Carter Lang in the fourth.

New Ulm’s Mitch Bockenstedt picked up the win with seven innings pitched, striking out six, walking one and hitting one batter. Ethan Stade got the save as he pitched the final two innings, striking out three and walking one.

Jackson Bode took the loss for Courtland. Bode pitched four innings, struck out eight and walked one. Teddy Giefer came on in the fifth inning, struck out six and walked one batter. Nolan Drill pitched the final inning for the Cubs and had one strike out, one walk, and one hit batter.

These same two teams will battle once again on Thursday evening, July 11, with a 7:30 p.m. game at Johnson Park in New Ulm. New Ulm is also scheduled to host Essig on Wednesday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Courtland will host a split double header on Sunday, July 14, as they host Stark at 1:00 p.m. and Lamberton at 5:00 p.m.