Bruins win regular-season finale vs. Cologne

Some late-inning heroics and a sparkling pitching performance by Seth Schuette earned the Brownton Bruins a 3-0 win over Cologne in the regular-season finale on Sunday, July 22, at Barney Tadsen Field.
Schuette tossed a one-hitter at the Hollanders, coming within one out of tossing a no-hitter before an infield single in the top of the ninth. He struck out seven batters, while hitting another three, but allowed no walks.
The Bruins scored the only run they needed as Deryk Randt crossed home plate on a passed ball in the seventh inning. Bryant Nordby and Ryan Grams scored insurance runs in the eighth, but those tallies were not necessary due to Schuette’s gem.
The victory, which came four days after a 13-0 loss to Raymond in a non-league contest, allowed Brownton to stay one slot above Cologne in the Region 7C playoff picture.
Play began in the best-of-three opening round of regional play on Tuesday, July 24, after the Chronicle went to press.
Brownton, by means of its win over Cologne, earned the No. 7 overall seed in the 7C tourney and opened against No. 10 Winsted.
The Bruins, 8-10 in Crow River Valley League play, are scheduled to play Game 2 at Winsted on Thursday, with a third game to be played back in Brownton – if necessary – at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The winner of the opening round will advance to the double-elimination region of the bracket, with play to begin Aug. 2-4.