By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
The Merrill Rangers baseball team left 12 runners on base in Sunday’s 6-2 loss to Whittlesey. After snagging an early one-run lead, the Ranger bats went silent, as Whittlesey heated up, taking a 4-1 advantage in the fifth inning and holding on for the win.
The Rangers scored first, with one run in the second inning. Garret Pagel started the rally with a leadoff single to left field. Justin Pyan then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving Pagel to second. A catcher interference call allowed Adam Kornhorst to reach base safely. Later, an error on Whittlesey loaded the bases for Adam Messerschmidt, who drew a walk to score the run.
In the top of the fifth inning Whittlesey would take the lead, scoring four runs. Merrill starting pitcher, Chase Nelson, pitched the fifth inning, however would have to come off the mound due to a back injury. The seventh inning saw Merrill score their final run of the game. A leadoff single got the Rangers started, with a Whittlesey error putting runners on first and second. Later in the inning Pyan singled to right field, allowing the runner from second to score on a close play at the plate. With Pyan on the mound, Whittlesey would score two more runs in the eighth inning, sealing the Rangers’ fate.
Leading hitters for the Rangers include: Justin Pyan (1-3, RBI), Garret Pagel (1-3, R, BB), Jared Schmeltzer (2-5, R) and Clay Schult (1-5, Double).