Cannon Falls Wins Battle of Lake Byllesby Game
The Randolph Rockets were one pitch away from a win Saturday at home against Cannon Falls.
Bombers senior Tyler Johnston put a ball in play resulting in an error that scored two runs giving Cannon Falls a 5-4 lead.
Sophomore Jack Meyers slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh by striking out the side.
It was a terrific high school baseball game played mostly in light rain. Two state ranked teams went toe-to-toe in front of a very good crowd despite the biting cold wind and rain.
Rockets Head Coach Chris Stanton said following the loss, "We know now we can play with anybody. Cannon Falls has an excellent team."
The Bombers tooik a 1-0 lead in the first inning when senior Elliott Nelson was hit by a pitch to start the game. Jadan Winchell executed a sacrifice bunt to get Nelson to second base.
Nelson advanced to third on a passed ball.
Following a ground out, Johnson hit an RBI single. During a Jack Meyers at bat, Johnson would be picked off first base to end the inning.
In the top of the third inning Nelson crushed a two out 1-0 count home run to extend the Bombers lead.
Randolph answered with a run in the bottom of the third inning.
#9 batter in the order, Jameson Exley had a bunt single to open the inning. He would be picked off during a Brayden Olson at bat that ended with a single.
Olsen stole second base and went to third when the throw attempt to get him out sailed into center field.
Tayven Geiger hit a ball to shortstop Meyers who bobbled the ball before throwing home, but Olsen beat the throw to cut the lead in half.
In the top of the 4th inning Meyers cracked a one-out double. With two outs, Gavin Gray, senior, starting pitcher for the Bombers hit a 2-2 count single to extend the lead.
In the bottom of the 5th inning Randolph would take the lead. With one out, Evan Benerotte hit a ball up the middle for a single. He would steal second and would go to third base on a wild pitch.
Ruben Kriesel followied that by being hit by a pitch with the count full. Noah Girgen was also hit by a pitch ending Gray's day on the mound.
Jadan Winchell entered in relief. Tristan Zingler jumped on the first pitch Winchell threw to hammer a bases clearing double. Zingler was thrown out trying to gain third base on the play. It was the second out. Inning ended with Randolph leading 4-3.
Kyle Peine, sophomore, started the game on the mound for Randolph. He went six innings. Threw 92 pitches, 56 strikes with 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 hit batter, 6 hits allowed.
Ruben Kriesel got the ball in the bottom of the 7th, walked #9 batter Jon Banks to start, then hit Nelson placing runners at first and second with no outs.
A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position. Kriesel achieved a strike out and a pop out before Johnson hit a ground ball to third base resulting in a throwing error. Two runs scored on the play giving Cannon Falls a 5-4 lead.
Meyers struck out the two, three and four batters in the Rockets order. The first two looking.
The Bombers three pitchers combined to strike out 12 Randolph batters in the game.
Winchell got the win, Meyers the save.
Both teams left 6 runners on base. Randolph had 5 in scoring position. Cannon Falls 3 in scoring position.
Gray threw 92 pitches, 56 for strikes. Winchell 14 pitches, 10 strikes. Meyers 15 pitches, 11 strikes.
The Bombers had 6 hits 3 errors in my scorebook. Randolph finished with 5 hits and 1 error.
The Rockets fell Friday to Lester Prairie 4-2 so they lost back to back games for the first time this season.
They go to Wanamingo for a crucial game which could factor into the Gopher Conference title. Randolph is 11-3 going into the Monday showdown.
KDHL is scheduled to broadcast the game which starts at 4:30 p.m. Coverage will begin approsximately 4:15.
Kenyon-Wanamingo and Randolph along with New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva and United South Central are all tied atop the league heading into the final week of the regular season.
Cannon Falls is 11-2 with a home game Monday against Triton before going to Zumbrota for what could be a Hiawatha Valley League Conference title game against the Cougers.
Here are other baseball scores from soggy Saturday.
- Long Prairie-Grey Eagle at Kenyon-Wanamingo Cancelled
- Waseca at Marshall doubleheader Postponed
- Rochester John Marshall at Austin Postponed
- New Prague vs Mankato West at MSU Mankato Postponed
- Watertown-Mayer at Maple River doubleheader Cancelled
- Litchfield 9 Zumbrota-Mazeppa 3 at Uof M Siebert Field
- LeSueur-Henderson at Jordan Cancelled
- Sleepy Eye St. Mary;s 4 NRHEG 1 at Gustavus Adolphus College
- Worthington at Alber Lea Postponed
- Triton at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Postponed
- Hayfield 2 Rushford-Peterson 1 at RPHS
- Goodhue 3 Spring Grove 2 at RPHS
- Rushford-Peterson 6 Spring Grove 2 at RPHS
- Hayfield 6 Goodhue 3 at RPHS
- St. Paul Academy 4 Lake City 1
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