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If you were there and a Mineral Point high school baseball fan, chances are you will remember this game for a lifetime.
The #2 seeded Pointers traveled to Shullsburg Wednesday for a regional final matchup with #1 seeded and #2 ranked team in the state, Shullsburg-Benton. They beat the Pointers earlier this season when, on March 29, they scratched out a 4-3 decision in eight innings on the Pointers' home field.
However, on the day (Wednesday) the regional title game was scheduled, after about five minutes of Pointer at-bats, a heavy down pour wash out the field and delayed the game to Thursday.
The game resumed Thursday and the Pointers found themselves down 3-0 after the first inning. Brooks Tiedeman was hit by pitch and scored on back to back singles by Nick Wagner and Jacob Berendes. Nathan Mowry added another single to load the bases. Alex Wand then hit into a 1-6-3 double play but plated Wagner. Will Lawrence then was hit by a pitch and Berendes scored on single by Nick Jansen.
The Pointers got out of it when Lawrence was gunned down at the plate by left fielder Uriah Ottoway.
In the third, Grady Gorgen, singled, Justin Baehler reached on an error and Isaac Lindsey delivered a two out single to score Gorgen and bring the score to 3-1. In the bottom of the inning however, the Zephyr/Miners would get one back when Wagner doubled, Mowry singled and Alex Wand laid down a suicide squeeze to go up 4-1.
Shullsburg would threaten in the fifth when Jansen walked, advanced on a balk, but was gunned down at home trying to score on a Tiedeman single by centerfielder Gorgen.
Mineral Point would get one in the fifth when Liam Stumpf singled, Joey Dolphin walked and Lindsey delivered a double to plate Stumpf and pull the Pointers to 4-2.
The rally would continue in the sixth when Owen Stephenson singled. Following a fielders choice, and a strikeout, Stumpf reached on an error and advanced to second on the same play. Justin Baehler then delivered a two run double to tie the score 4-4.
The Pointers would threaten in the seventh but couldn't come up with a timely hit to plate a pair of baserunners. In the bottom of the seventh, Grady Gorgen came into relieve starting pitcher Liam Stumpf, only to see his first pitch bounce off the wall with a double by Berendes.
Following an intentional walk to gain a force out, Gorgen would strikeout the next batter. A balk however would put runners at second and third with one out. Will Lawrence hit a line drive up the middle that was caught by Gorgen and thrown to third for the double play to force extra innings.
Both teams put two runners on in the eighth, however that's where they would stay.
Lindsey then started the ninth with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Grant Bossert then delivered a rocket just off the glove of the second baseman to score Lindsey and take the first lead of the game for the Pointers.
Gorgen would close the door on S/B in the ninth with a strikeout, single, fielders choice and pop to third base that would send Mineral Point to sectionals for the first time since 2009 when head coach Jordan Tibbits was a senior, catcher.
Liam Stumpf started on the mound. He went six innings, walked two, hit three batters, and gave up eight hits (four in the first).
Grady Gorgen came in for three innings giving up no runs on two hits while striking out three to pick up the win.
Jacob Berendes started for Shullsburg-Benton. He went 5.2 innings, giving up 10 hits, three runs but only one earned. He struck out five and walked two. Nick Wagner would come in for 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run on one hit while walking two.
Brooks Tiedeman threw the final two innings giving one run on two hits while walking two and striking out three.
The Pointers cracked out 13 hits while committing zero errors. The Zephyr-Miners had 10 hits of their own, but committed four errors. A total of 25 baserunners were left on. (MP 14, S-B 11)
Lindsey lead the attack with a 3x4 day at the plate with two doubles and two rbis. Baehler finished 2x4 with two rbis. Gorgen and Stephenson added two hits apiece while Stumpf, Bossert, Cox and Ottoway had solo hits.
"Unbelievable game," coach Tibbits said. "We fall down 4-0 right away, I just kept telling the guys to chip away and they did just that. They showed a ton of heart - all of them. Liam settled in on the mound. Grady came in and pitched great as well. We made plays defensively and just kept hitting the ball hard all day. Isaac had probably his biggest day all year at the plate. Justin delivered a clutch hit in the sixth. Uriah and Grady both threw guys out at the plate which turned out to be huge. I'm just proud of how they battled and it's great to see these guys work pay off. It's been a while since we've been to sectionals. It's a huge step for the program."