July 21, 2017 at 2:46 p.m.
Comeback bid falls short for Laser Pros in Babe Ruth semis
Comeback bid falls short for Laser Pros in Babe Ruth semis
On Wednesday, the two teams met again at Tyler Kahle Field in Tomahawk, this time in the Northwoods Babe Ruth Senior League tournament semifinals.
On this occasion, the Laser Pros would not be issued the mercy rule. This time around the game was significantly closer. In fact, late in the game, they had the go-ahead run at the plate.
Unfortunately, the Laser Pros weren't able to get any closer. The NWBL regular season champions held on for a 5-3 win, bringing the season to an end for the Laser Pros.
Lakeland jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, thanks to back-to-back hits, including an RBI double from Keegan McJoynt, but the Laser Pros had a response in the bottom half of the inning. Martin Hoger doubled with two outs and Walker Hartman was able to bring him home with an RBI single on the next at-bat.
The two teams settled in after that as both pitchers took control of the next three innings, but Lakeland's offense finally struck in the top of the fifth.
Erik Albertus walked to lead off the inning and Max Toijala reached on an error, setting up McJoynt again. This time he scored both runs with a triple that bounced off the left field fence.
Hoger wouldn't allow another hit in the inning, but McJoynt was able to steal home on a strikeout, which brought some controversy. Hoger's 3-2 pitch to Chuck Burgess was originally ruled a ball, but the Laser Pros coaching staff appealed the call and it was reversed to a strike. Had it been called a ball, McJoynt would have likely been sent back to third base by rule.
At the time, Lakeland held a 5-1 lead and appeared to be on the verge of storming off with an easy win, particularly after McJoynt - who was on the mound in relief of starter Alex Fortier - struck out the side in the bottom of the fifth.
In the sixth, the Laser Pros made a move. Danny Zuiker reached on a walk and Hoger on a fielder's choice with two outs. On the next at-bat, Hartman hit a skyrocket that made for a routine pop fly, but miscommunication by the Lakeland outfield caused the ball to hit the grass and two runs scored to cut the lead to 5-3.
Alex Olson walked in the ensuing at-bat, putting runners on the corners and forcing Lakeland to make a pitching change. Tyler Olson faced off with new pitcher Tim Crisco as the go-ahead run, but the latter earned the strikeout to end the threat.
The Laser Pros were able to get a runner on base in the bottom of the seventh, but Crisco remained steady to seal the game, ending the season for the Laser Pros.
Hoger was stellar on the mound in defeat, going six and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and just three walks, while striking out six.
Nick Sabato may be reached at [email protected] or via Twitter @SabatoNick.
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