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Raptors win, advance to grand championship series

NEOSHO — The Milton Junction Pub Raptors won a 3-2 thriller Sunday over Neosho to advance to the Rock River League grand championship series.

Jon Kas' two-out single in the top of the ninth inning scored Joe Shere with the winning run. Joe Shere singled to open the inning and his brother Josh singled to move Joe into scoring position.

Joe Shere got Neosho in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal Milton's fifth straight victory.

The key play for Milton came in the seventh inning when first baseman Jon Kas' relay from outfielder Dave Sagitis to catcher Tyler Allison gunned down the lead run at the plate. Joe Shere replaced Sean McCann with one out and two men on in the seventh.

Neosho reached McCann for an RBI single, but Neosho's second hit off Shere resulted in the successful put out at the plate.

"(Neosho) pretty much knew they were done after that," Raptors manager Doug Welch said. "They didn't touch Joe the rest of the way.''

Joe Shere and Josh Shere had two hits apiece and T.J. Klawitter doubled to lead the Raptors' 10-hit attack. McCann and Shere combined to hold Neosho to six hits.

Milton (21-4) travels Saturday to Kewaskum to open the double-elimination championship series. Milton hosts Kewaskum on Sunday.

MILTON 3, NEOSHO 2

Milton 100 010 001—3 10 0

Neosho 000 010 100—2 6 1

McCann, Joe Shere (7) and Allison; Suhr, DeBoar (9) and Kreiser.

Leading hitters—Joe Shere (M), 2x4; Josh Shere (M), 2x4; R. Lauersdorf (N), 2x4; Z. Lauersdorf (N). 2B—T.J. Klawitter (M).

SO—McCann 6, Joe Shere 2, Suhr (N), 3, DeBoar 1. BB—McCann 3, Suhr 3.