ADRIAN — The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton baseball team traveled to Adrian on Wednesday to take on the Dragons in a game between two successful programs.  The game lived up to the expectations both teams had for a competitive match in RTR’s 5-2 win.

The pitching was strong with Cody Wichmann on the mound for RTR and Keagan Polzine taking the hill for Adrian/Ellsworth.

The first inning started with a groundout, but Aiden Wichmann and Cody Wichmann were both hit by pitches to put runners on first and second.  A double steal put them at second and third and, when the ball got away from the third baseman, Aiden Wichmann was able to score the first run of the game.

In the bottom of the first, Adrian tried to answer back with a single by Kyler Kunkel to start the inning.  After a popout, Quentin Wolf singled, and the Dragons were threatening to put some runs on the board but two strikeouts left them stranded.

RTR was able to tack on three more runs in the second inning. After a groundout, freshman designated hitter Tyler Wichmann got his first varsity hit with a single to right field and finished with two hits on the day.  Gabe Elton followed with a single but was forced at second on a groundout by Brayden Appel, Wichmann reaching third on the fielder’s choice.  Hayden Gravley then singled to right, scoring Wichmann and, on an error by the right fielder, Appel was also able to score. 

Gravley scored the third run of the inning on a passed ball. After a walk, Polzine induced a popup to the second baseman to end the inning.

For the next three innings, Polzine used his curveball very effectively to keep the RTR scoreless, only allowing singles by Isaac Dagel, Cody Wichmann and Blake Christianson.

The bats finally came around for Adrian in the fifth inning, starting off with a leadoff single by Joe Rahe.  Kyler Kunkel then doubled to put runners at second and third with nobody out.  After a groundout back to the pitcher, Quentin Wolf drove a shot to right center field.  But gifted center fielder Hayden Gravley stretched out and made a tremendous diving catch for the out.  Unfortunately for RTR, Gravley sustained an injury on the play and by the time they were able to get the ball back into the infield, both Rahe and Kunkel tagged up and scored.  The injury forced Gravley to leave the game, replaced by Sean Griesse.  Wichmann got a strikeout to retire the side, but Adrian was right back in the game, now only trailing 4-2.

In the top of the sixth, RTR got one of those runs back. With one out, Brayden Appel singled and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sean Griesse.  Aiden Wichmann promptly singled to drive in Appel, and he was able to get to second on the throw home.  Cody Wichmann was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second, but a groundout ended the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Cody Wichmann struck out the first two batters looking. Polzine then singled, but Wichmann struck out the next batter to end the inning with a 5-2 RTR lead.

In the top of the seventh, Isaac Dagel drew a walk and was sacrificed to second by Drew Chandler, but Polzine got the next two batters on a fly ball and a strikeout.

In the bottom of the seventh, Cody Wichmann had reached his pitch limit for the game and was replaced by Gabe Elton.  Elton promptly struck out he first two batters and the game ended with a popup to first base.

  Cody Wichmann was the winning pitcher, striking out 13 batters.  Gabe Elton got the save for the victory.  Keagan Polzine pitched well, recording four strikeouts, but was victimized by some errors behind him.

Adrian/Ellsworth head coach Bill Krueger said he was proud of how his team competed. 

“Wichmann is probably one of the best pitchers, if not the best, in the area, along with the pitcher from MCC,” Krueger said. “We were in the game and we were a hit away.

“The error in the outfield really hurt us, and we just have to play better.  That can’t happen if we are going to beat a good team like RTR.  I like our team, we are coming together.  We have three freshman starting, and they are growing up fast.  I though Keagan Polzine pitched a great game.  He has really come along, considering that this is his first year on the Varsity.  We are excited about him, and our shortstop is a freshman.  I thought he had a tremendous game, but we just needed a couple more plays.”

RTR head coach Josh Fredrickson was also proud of his team’s efforts.

“I thought that we came out and played an overall good game.  We were able to jump out on top, with some good base running,” Fredrickson said. “There are still some things in the field that we need to clean up.  Adrian is always a tough team, they have a good program, and even if they are down a little, they always seem to bounce back. I feel that we both had some opportunities, and we were able to capitalize on them just a little more than they did. Coming off a game against KMS, sometimes it is an emotional roller coaster. and maybe our heads get a little bit too big, but I felt we did a nice job of coming in here and staying focused.”

  RTR is now 8-1 on the season.  Their next game is Thursday at YME.  Adrian falls to 3-5.