A well-rounded offensive and defensive matchup between the Webster Sox and the Prior Lake Mudcats ended in ten innings on Tuesday night with a 4-3 win for the visiting Sox.
Ben Morrison got the start on the mound for the Mudcats, pitching all nine frames, allowing three runs on seven hits, punching out five, and walking only one Sox batter. Nick Allbee took over in the tenth inning giving up one run on two hits putting the Sox ahead. Allbee received the loss.
Nicholas Dorfman threw four innings for the Sox, plating three runs on eight hits, striking out three, with no walks. The winning pitcher, Ryan Joyner, threw six complete with no runs given while allowing only two hits and sending seven Mudcats down on strikes.
The ‘Cats would get things started in the first inning putting two runs on the board. Charlie Bredeson would lead off with a single with Cole Clausen following next with a double to right, scoring Bredeson. Ryan Wattermann singled scoring Clausen. The Sox would strike in the second inning putting one run on the board and bringing them within one of the lead.
In the bottom half of the fourth, the Mudcats would plate another run behind a Bear Blaney single scoring John Parker. For the rest of the game, the bats would be silenced for the Mudcats.
With a 3-1 lead for Prior Lake through four innings of play, the Sox would turn to the bottom of their order in the seventh inning to get the runs going again. Jordan Huwe reached on a single and was driven in by Chase Flaskey. The eighth inning would bring another run for Webster on a single by William Arendt scoring Sam Wareham. This run would tie the game 3-3.
The Sox would go down in order in the ninth before the Mudcats threatened to end it. Blaney led off the home half of the ninth with a walk, Bredesen moved Blaney on a sacrifice, then both Clausen and Jonny Houston would receive intentional walks to load the bases with one out. Attempts by Alex Wattermann and Ryan Wattermann were unsuccessful ending the inning, leaving the bases juiced, and heading to extra innings.
In the tenth inning, Jake Eckness and Jacob Bellile would both reach on singles. Arendt would hit a sacrifice fly to right field, enabling Eckness to score the run that put the Sox on top 4-3. The ‘Cats would try in vain in the bottom of the tenth but were set down in order to end the game.
Ryan Wattermann led the team with three hits (3-for-5) and an RBI on the night. Harry Fleek was 2-for-5 with two singles, while Clausen contributed a double and RBI, and Blaney with three stolen bases and an RBI.
The Mudcats are back in action Wednesday night when they travel to Joe Schleper Stadium to take on the Shakopee Coyotes in a 7:30 PM tilt.