Opening Day of the 2012 season for the Northeast Wisconsin Men’s Senior Baseball League (NEW MSBL) saw all five games be inter-division contests. When the dust settled, the North Division came out on top for the day, winning four of the five contests to start the season.


Starting out in Abrams, the GREEN BAY WICKED defeated the KAUKAUNA ISLANDERS 10-3 in the first game of the day. The Wicked's Nate Sutrick went seven strong innings to earn the win. Nick Berg paced the victors, rapping out two hits, driving in two, and scoring twice. He reached base four times in the contest. Mike Hillberg hit a grand slam for Green Bay.


Heading over to Ashwaubomay Park, the NEENAH BRAUERS silenced the big bats of the ASHWAUBENON A’S by a score of 6-1. Hits were at a premium in this game, as A's newcomer Doug Coe and Brauers pitchers Juan Ramos and Juan Alcala combined for 31 strikeouts in the contest. Coe recorded 16, and Ramos fanned 12. Neenah's Jonathan Novas added a home run.


Jumping on US 41 and heading to Appleton, the EAST RIVER KNIGHTS showed that their off-season moves may pay off with a successful season with an 11-7 victory over defending league champion the APPLETON FOXES. The Knights broke out the big sticks, with 15 hits in the contest, while starting pitcher Mike Harrold had a no-hitter thru four innings, earning the win.


Another North Division team who made strong off-season moves, the KEWAUNEE EAGLES, also showed that there is a new order in the league, with a 5-3 hard fought victory over the APPLETON CUBS. The Cubs had the game winning run at the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but grounded out to second base to end the game. Despite the loss, Cubs pitchers Troy Lillicrop, Scott Yearsich, and Adam Fox combined to strike out 17 Eagle batters. Eagles catcher Paul Krause hit a home run for the victors.


A team that was hit hard by retirement and injury, the OUTAGAMIE OUTLAWS, kept it close for the first five innings, but ultimately was beaten by the power offense of the BAY CITY STURGEON by the score of 14-0.The Sturgeon's Tim Heise stroked out 3 hits, scored twice, and drove in 2, while Matt Frank drove in three on two hits.


Game stats and your nominees for the PLAYER OF THE WEEK for week 1 will be posted shortly.