By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
The Merrill Rangers baseball team traveled to Marshfield on Sunday, for their first game of the season. The Rangers led for most of the game, however would fall short, as Marshfield scored two late runs to take the 5-4 win.
Marshfield scored the first run of the game, plating one runner in the bottom of the fourth inning. Merrill responded with two runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. Trevor Asmundsen and Chase Nelson opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Asmundsen later scored on a Clay Schult ground out. The Rangers second run of the inning came on a Garret Pagel single to center field.
Merrill extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning, with two more runs. Asmundsen and Nelson each singled to start the inning. An error on a bunt attempt allowed all runners to advance safely and Asmundsen to score. A walk then loaded the bases for Brody Gehrke, who drew a walk, allowing another Ranger runner to cross the plate.
Marshfield scored one run in each the sixth and seventh innings, to cut the Ranger lead to one run. In the bottom of the ninth inning, a solo home run tied the game for Marshfield. Then in the 10th inning, Marshfield strung together a few hits and scored a run for the walk-off victory.
Leading hitters for the Rangers include: Chase Nelson (2H, R), Trevor Asmundsen (2H, 2R), Justin Pyan (2H, BB), Garret Pagel (H, RBI) and Brody Gehrke (H, RBI, 3BB).