URL: https://walworthcountytoday.com/20150821/rally_in_seventh_comes_up_short_for_13us

Rally in seventh comes up short for 13Us

JAMESTOWN, N.Y.—Janesville's bid for a spot in the Babe Ruth 13U World Series finals ended after a three-run rally and the tying run on third base in the seventh inning of its semifinal game against Tri-County (Maine).

The local squad battled back from a 6-1 deficit but could not score the game-tying run in a 6-5 loss Friday night.

Coach Tom Davey said his team did not play as well as they had in previous games.

“We played pretty poorly, which put us in the position that we had to make the comeback,” Davey said. “The story of the game was we put the leadoff hitter on in each of the first five innings.

“Then we left runners on second or second and third. We had guys on second and third with one out and went down swinging twice.”

Janesville trailed 6-2 going into the top of the seventh. The local squad sent seven batters to the plate and scored three times without a hit.

Colin Hageman and Cody Logterman open the inning by drawing walks off a Tri-County relief pitcher. Two consecutive errors allowed Hageman to score.

Tegan Christiansen and Tressin Kussmaul then hit sacrifice flies to score Logterman and Dalton Madsen, but a strike out ended the game.

Micah Overley pitched a complete game for Janesville. He allowed seven hits and six walks while striking out two. Tri-County scored twice in the second, fourth and fifth innings to build a 6-1 lead.

Jordan Curtis had two hits for Janesville.

Curtis singled in the fifth inning, went to third on Overley's double and scored on a groundout by Logterman for Janesville's first run.

Christiansen walked in the sixth inning and scored on consecutive two-out singles by Clark Schmaling and Curtis.

Davey said the coaches addressed the team after the game, and then celebrated the success at the national level.

“It's hard when you lose to a team that you are better than,” Davey said. “I'm very proud of the players, the coaches and parents, our host families and the entire Janesville youth baseball program,” Davey said.

“It was a fantastic experience,” Davey said. “We played well on a big stage. I'm just disappointed that we had too many fundamental breakdowns.”

The team will participate in closing ceremonies today and is expected back in Janesville sometime Sunday afternoon.

TRI-COUNTY (Maine) 6, JANESVILLE 5

Janesville 000 011 3—5 6 1

Tri County 020 220 x—6 7 4

Janesville leading hitters—Curtis 2x3. 2B—Overley.

SO—Overley (J) 2. BB—Overley 6.