Merchants Second Win!

Bottom L to R: Brendan Burns, Derek Schroeder, Kodiak Ratzlaff, Casey Fassiotto, Kelby Fassiotto, Payden Breneman, Jamin Tate, Jordan Jara
Top: L to R: Chaz Hebberd, Tanner Barth, Tylor Jara, Bryan Gonzalez, Brandon Reed, Isiah Martinez, Zach Ramsay, Coach – Bart Cruikshank
Not Pictured: Saul Pizzaro

Needing a dramatic last inning come back, the Lamar Merchants beat Columbus Kansas 12 to 11. The Merchants struggled early falling behind 9-4 after the top of the 3rd due in large part to 12 walks given up by Lamar pitching. But in the bottom half of the inning the Lamar bats warmed up as they scored 5 runs to tie the game at 9 to 9. Isiah Martinez then was called to the mound and shut down the Kansas team to earn the win.

In the top of the 7th the Columbus second baseman hit a 2 run homer to put the locals down by 2 runs going into the bottom of the 7th. That set up the dramatic come back. Tanner Barth lead off the inning by reaching after being hit by a pitch, Bryan Gonzales then singled sending Barth to second, Jordan Jara hit into a fielders choice forcing Barth out at third, Kodiak Ratzlaff then loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded Saul Pizzarro then hit a bases clearing walk off triple to win the game. Coach Cruikshank stated he was impressed with the teams never say die attitude after falling behind early, “They knew they would come back”.

Hitting stars for the Merchants were Bryan Gonzales who was 3 for 3, Kodiak Ratzlaff 3 for 3 and is still batting 1.000 for the tourney, Paden Breneman was 2 for 3 with a triple, Jordan Jara was 2 for 3 and of course Pizzarro who hit the game winning triple.

With the win the Merchants will play the winner of the Montrose, Missouri game at 4 PM Friday and with a win would move into the championship game Saturday.