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PREP SOFTBALL: TMB escapes against RTR with walk-off

TMB’s Olivia Peterson slides into home plate for the game-winning run against RTR during the Section 3A Tournament Tuesday in Wabasso. The Panthers defeated the Knights 3-2.

WABASSO – The first round of the Section 3A playoffs did not disappoint in a matchup between the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers and the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights. In a game highlighted by dominant pitching, timely defense, and a dramatic ending, the third-seeded Panthers were able to come away with a walk-off 3-2 victory Tuesday.

RTR came into the game as the sixth seed, but the Knights were not intimidated by the Panthers. “We lost to them 4-0 the first time we played them,” said RTR starting pitcher Kylea Baartman, “but our team improved a lot of the season, and we’ve done better at hitting and fielding.”

The Knights were led throughout the game by Baartman, who is only a freshman. Baartman’s ability to throw strikes led to quick innings early on. It proved to be a pitcher’s duel, as TMB junior Sydney Lanoue kept the bats quiet as well. After 3 innings, neither team had broken through on the scoreboard.

That finally changed in the top of the 4th inning, as RTR used small ball to take the lead. Baartman was able to reach base on a one-out walk, and advanced to second with a stolen base.

The aggressive baserunning proved timely. The next batter, Morgan Johnson, hit a ground ball to third base. The ensuring throw sailed over the first baseman’s head and brought in Baartman for the first run of the game.

Despite being down, the Panthers were able to fight back in the later innings. In the bottom of the fifth, TMB finally was able to string a couple hits together. Brooklyn Ludeman and Alex Rolling led off the inning with back-to-back singles, but Baartman was able to work out of a jam with the help of a good defensive stop by second baseman Rhaegyn Petersen that ended the inning.

The stop was one of a handful of great defensive plays by the Knights in the game.

RTR coach Granger Maranell was impressed by his team’s performance on both sides of the ball.

“Defensively and offensively, I think they both went hand-in-hand tonight,” Maranell said. “We got girls on base when we needed to get on base, but our defense stood up when we needed them.”

The game remained a one-run RTR lead until the bottom of the sixth inning, when TMB finally broke through on the scoreboard.

Down to their last five outs, the Panthers were sparked by starting pitcher Sydney Lanoue. Lanoue drilled a ball off the left field wall, but was held to a single. A hard hit ground ball by the next batter, Sidney Karbo, hit off the shortstop’s glove and rolled into the outfield, which put runners on first and second. TMB took advantage of another defensive miscue in the next at-bat, as Lanoue came around to score from second on an error by the first baseman. With runners now on first and third, Ludeman brought in the go-ahead run with an RBI groundout., and the Panthers went into the last frame up 2-1.

It all came down to the final inning, which proved to be dramatic and controversial.

Down by a run in the top of the seventh, Ashley Owen delivered a clutch hit for the Knights, a double off the left-center field wall. Johannah Nielsen’s bunt down the third base line brought the tying run to third. Needing a fly ball to tie the game, Mackenzie Buchert delivered just that, as her sacrifice fly to center field tied the game at two apiece.

TMB still had a chance to avoid extra innings as they entered the bottom of the seventh. Schons got the rally started with a sharp single to center to lead off.

Miscommunication led to a dropped ball in the infield on the next play, which put runners on first and second. Baartman got the next batter to pop out to third for the first out.

With the winning run in scoring position, Lanoue found herself in the midst of another scoring opportunity, and she took advantage. Lanoue made great contact, and for a second it appeared that the ball would sail over the left field fence for a walk-off home run.

RTR left fielder Jenny Reyes hustled back, and was able to make a great catch over her shoulder as she went crashing into the fence. On the play, however, TMB pinch runner Olivia Peterson alertly tagged up from second base, and by the time the ball reached the infield, Peterson had crossed home plate with the winning run.

The controversy came on whether the runner had tagged up at the appropriate time. After a momentary stop in action, the call was confirmed, sealing the 3-2 victory for the Panthers.

Offensively, the Panthers were led by Ludeman, who went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Buchert paced the Knights at the plate, as she went 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI. In regards to the final play, Coach Maranell said, “From what I saw, Jenny Reyes made a great catch in the outfield…essentially probably robbing a home run…it is what it is, our girls played great.”

The story of the game proved to be the starting pitching. Both Baartman and Lanoue went the distance on the mound. Baartman gave up seven hits while striking out three, and her coach was quick to praise her.

“Great game, pitched strikes when she needed to pitch strikes…probably the best, most complete game she’s had all year,” Maranell said.

For TMB, Lanoue gave up only 4 hits on the mounds while allowing one earned run and striking out eight.

“Syd has the potential to throw a gem every time she goes out,” said Panthers coach Paul Skoglund. “Kind of a more exciting finish than what we would have maybe liked. We’ll see what Wabasso brings.”

TMB 3, RTR 2

RTR 000 100 1 — 2 4 3

TMB 000 002 1 — 3 7 1

HITTING: RTR (Mackenzie Buchert: 1-3, RBI; Baartman: 1-2, BB); TMB (Brooklyn Ludeman: 2-3, RBI; Lanoue: 1-3, RBI).

PITCHING (IP-H-R-ER-BB-SO): RTR (Baartman: 7-7-3-0-0); TMB (Lanoue: 7-4-2-1-3-8).

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