By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
With Merrill trailing 10-8 in the bottom of the seventh, Casey Hoffman stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Hoffman would go down 1-2 in the count, however would fight to stay alive, fouling three pitches in a row. Eventually, Hoffman stuck out, bringing the game to a close with Wausau taking the win.
Wausau got off to a hot start, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Merrill responded with one run in their half of the inning. Peyton Becker led off with a double to deep right field. After advancing to third base on a passed ball, Becker scored on a sacrifice fly out from Hoffman. Wausau then added two more runs in the third inning, extending their lead to 6-1. Two Merrill runs in the bottom of the fourth inning made it a three run game. With runners on second and third, Spencer Schneider hit a fly ball to right field, which the Wausau defender dropped, allowing a run to score. Later, a walk loaded the bases for Becker, who also drew a walk, scoring another Merrill run.
Two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, gave Wausau a commanding seven-run lead. One run for Post 46 cut the lead to six, headed into the final inning. Merrill’s seventh inning rally gave them chance, however they would fall just short, scoring four runs. Four straight walks got Post 46 their first run of the inning. Later, a bases loaded triple from Schneider scored Merrill’s final three runs.
Post 46 now sits with a record of 2-2. Merrill will look to improve their record on Friday, as they will travel to Wisconsin Rapids, with first pitch at 7 p.m.