Medford Beats Waseca After Wild Seventh Inning

Medford outscored Waseca 3-2 in the seventh inning for a 4-3 victory in the drizzle Tuesday afternoon at TInk Larson Field in Waseca. It's the sixth win in seven games for the Tigers and their third one-run victory on the season. The game was a pitchers' duel through six-plus, until each starter hit the pitch-count limit. The games was tied 1-1 entering the final frame.

The Tigers' rally included four walks and a two-out, two-run single from Jack Paulson, who had three RBI for the game. That put Medford up 4-1. AJ Vandereide allowed a walk and a single around his seventh strikeout as he hit the pitch count limit.

Lefty Justin Ristau took the mound and closed the door, but not without some excitement. The Bluejays scored on a wild pitch and a ground out and had the tying run at third as a long fly ball deep into the left field corner was tracked down by Josiah Hedensten for the final out.

Catcher Tate Hermes blocked a couple of balls in the dirt in that final inning with the runner at third champing at the bit to dash home. The Tigers infield defense of Paulson (shortstop), Reed Cumberland (third base), Casey Chambers (second base) and Noah Honsey (first base) made several great plays throughout the contest.

Cumberland worked a bases-loaded walk in the seventh that gave Medford its second lead of the game. The Tigers had opened the scoring in the fourth. Cumberland walked, moved to second and third on pitches to the backstop and scored on Paulson's ground out. Waseca answered in the bottom of the fourth.

Medford (9-6) plays at Blooming Prairie Thursday, May 20. Waseca (4-12) hosts Tri-City United Thursday.