Russell

By Kevin Kyle | on June 07, 2023

Two proved a tough number to endure Saturday afternoon at Yankee Field in Milroy, especially if you happen to be a Russell-Tyler-Ruthton baseball fan.

Two errors, two runs and facing an exit from the double-elimination Section 3A baseball tournament following its 2-0 loss to The Sting of Yellow Medicine East, the Knights are likely trying to push the 2s out of their collective head prior to Tuesday's (June 5) play-back bracket game versus the Murray County Central Rebels.

"Against a team like YME, who I feel is, top-to-bottom, the best hitting team we’ll have seen this year, I thought Cody (Wichmann) did about everything he could – pitched an outstanding game today," R-T-R head coach Josh Fredrickson said. "He was outstanding, and their guy … same thing. Those are two really good pitchers, and he (YME's Bryce Sneller) had his stuff working and we had a lot of trouble.

"It boiled down to the two errors and a passed ball/wild pitch that led to their two runs. It wasn't a ton of mistakes, but it was enough. And against a good team, you can't make any mistakes."

Scoreless and errorless through four complete frames, the tilt took an abrupt turn in the top of the fifth.

The Knights were quick to retire the leadoff batter, as R-T-R third baseman Tyler Wichmann teamed up with first baseman Chase Christianson to complete a 5-3 putout. Nahum Tarin's ensuing effort, another low, skipping effort, was well tracked by Christianson at first. The sophomore did well to knock it down and Isaac Dagel looked to have enough time to retrieve the loose sphere and zip it to a covering Cody Wichmann at the bag. Unfortunately for the Knights, Dagel's off-balanced throw was low and caromed off the netting of the hurler's glove – allowing Tarin to claim the base with one out.

The error didn't have an immediate effect, as Cody Wichmann struck out Cody Dahlager for the second out. However, Wichmann's wild pitch with Braden Nelson stepping in allowed Tarin to claim second base. Nelson took full advantage of the free pass, driving the ensuing pitch up the middle for an RBI single and a 1-0 YME lead.

Despite putting a pair of runners in scoring position with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Knights fail to push a run across the plate. After a brief meeting with his teammates and coaches on the mound, Sneller came back to strike out Hayden Gravley for the third out – leaving R-T-R behind the eight ball with three outs remaining for each side.

The Sting made the most of theirs, scoring another unearned run in the top of the inning to carry a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the frame. A throwing error with one out in the inning aided The Sting in putting runners on the corners and allowing Dahlager to drive Tarin in from third base for an insurance run.

And Sneller seized the opportunity to claim the complete-game victory, as he retired Tyler Wichmann via a 4-3 putout, Dagel through a fly out and Elijah Determan on a bang, bang play at first base – forcing the Knights into the playback bracket.

The Knights mustered a mere three hits for the game, coming from Aiden Wichmann, Blake Christianson and Cody Wichmann.

The latter gave up no earned runs on five hits over seven innings, while fanning six and walking three in suffering a pitching loss that easily could have gone the other way.

"We have to pick our heads up, stay positive and keep playing aggressive baseball," Fredrickson said. "We have to have better at-bats and make the routine plays we’ve been making all year. As long as we can stay positive, we’ll be fine."

YME 000 010 1 – 2 5 0

R-T-R 000 000 0 – 0 3 2

R-T-R 9, CMC 4

The Knights made their way to the section semifinals via a quarterfinal victory over the Bluejays Tuesday evening (May 30) at the Irish Yard in Milroy.

Gravley earned the victory on the bump, as the senior gave up three earned runs on five hits while striking out four and walking three over three frames. Aiden Wichmann picked up the save, giving up no runs on four hits over four innings; he fanned seven and walked two.

Brayden Appel paced the Knights at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Dagel also finished 3-for-4 with an RBI. Aiden Wichmann had a double and a triple in going 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Determan and Blake Christianson each went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Cody Wichmann and Tyler Wichmann also had hits for the Knights versus the Bluejays.

R-T-R 033 003 0 – 9 12 2

CMC 031 000 0 – 4 9 1