Upset Special in HTL playoffs

Upsets were plentiful during the Home Talent League playoffs this weekend.

In the Southeast Section, both favorites were unseeded.

In Utica, Jefferson managed only five hits, but scored enough runs to knock out the Association, 3-2.

Bowe Bushey hit a two-out double to plate two runs, including the go-ahead tally in the sixth inning to propel the Blue Devils to the Section finals. Click here for more game details.

On the other side of the bracket, McFarland stunned Fort Atkinson with five extra-base hits en route to winning, 11-4.

Joe Nartowicz hit a three-run bomb in a five-run second inning to help the Muskies down the top-seeded Generals.

More game details here.

In the Western Section, Platteville kept the upset-theme alive with a 12 inning win over No. 2 Monroe.

Jake Green hit a sac-fly to score the go-ahead run.

Verona wanted no part of an upset and they took care of business at home versus the sixth-seeded Ridgeway club. Verona crushed the visiting squad 25-5. With Fort’s loss, Verona now holds the best record among remaining playoff teams.

Black Earth beat Ashton, 6-1, in the Northern Section. Both teams pulled off upsets to reach their Section’s semi-finals and the No. 4 Black Earth team upended No. 3 Ashton to move a game away from the Final Four.

Black Earth will meet Sauk Prairie, which beat visiting Reedsburg, 6-4, Sunday. Chase Suchla cracked a grand slam to lead Sauk to the Section finals.

The Eastern Section ignored the trend Sunday. DeForest and Cottage Grove each advanced and will play for the Section title next weekend.

DeForest did not have an easy time with Monona, however. The teams played to a 2-2 tie after nine innings. Tyler Benzine, who also drove in the tying run in the eighth inning, drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth.

Cottage Grove blanked Sun Prairie, 5-0.

Next week’s Section finals break down like this:

Southeast Section

Jefferson at McFarland

Western Section

Platteville at Verona

Northern Section

Black Earth at Sauk Prairie

Eastern Section

Cottage Grove at DeForest