The Merrill Rangers picked up their second Dairyland League victory of the season when they traveled to Westboro on Saturday.
The teams were tied 2-2 after the first inning, and hung close throughout until the Merrill men finally pulled away to an 8-3 lead with a 4-run 9th. John Annis closed it out without letting Westboro score.
Merrill finally took a 3-2 lead in the middle of the game, and pushed it to 4-2 before Westboro cut it to 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th.
Chase Nelson pitched the first seven innings, and Alex Grunenwald threw the 8th.
The Rangers knocked out a dozen hits, led by Annis (2 H, 2B, 2 RBI), Grunenwald (2 H, 2 RBI), Chris Grunenwald (2 H), Lucas Thiel (2 H) and Nelson (1 H, 3 W).
“Everybody hit the ball well, actually,” Nelson said.
Merrill moved to 2-5 overall with the win. Westboro fell to 3-7.