By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Sunday the Merrill Rangers went up against league foe Everest Merchants. It was a tight game throughout that would go into extra innings before Merrill took the 4-3 win on a walk-off single.
Everest was able to strike first on the Rangers, scoring two runs in the third inning. It wasn’t until the bottom of the eighth inning that the Rangers scored their first run. A walk got a runner on base for Chase Nelson who singled to left field, advancing the runner to third, with Nelson later advancing to second. A dropped third strike forced Everest to make a throw to first base to get the batter out, meanwhile Trevor Asmundsen scored from third base.
In the bottom of the ninth inning the Rangers tied it up on a couple miscues from Everest. A dropped third strike with two out allowed Merrill to get a runner on base. Later an error scored the runner and tied the game at 2-2, forcing extra innings.
In the top of the 11th inning Everest scored one run on a sacrifice fly ball, giving them a 3-2 lead. Merrill was up to the challenge as they were able to get a runner on base and advance him to second on an error. Adam Messerschmidt then doubled to right field scoring the tying run. Trevor Asmundsen would end the game, singling to left field, scoring Messerschmidt from second.
Chase Nelson pitched all 11 innings for Merrill and allowed only two earned runs. Nelson would also strike out 10 batters while only walking two.
The Rangers will travel to Medford on Saturday for a night game, starting at 7:30 p.m.