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A five run fourth was enough to send the Mazomanie Mustangs to a 6-1 win over the Dodgeville Knights Thursday and secure their spot at the Western NL top playoff seed.
The Mustangs are hosting Wiota from the South NL tonight where the Indians are the #2 seed.
For the Knights it was a season ender in a campaign where they did not qualify for playoffs in either Sunday or Thursday play. They finished 11-16 overall, playing well at times and at times not so well.
Overall the Knights put young team son the field. Early they had Ryan Kussmaul to handle the pitching until he signed a pro contract with an Independent Minor League team. Prior to the season Theo Denlinger, who threw for the Knights two seasons ago and was eyeing a return, was picked up by the Madison Mallards. He completed a season with Division 1 Bradley and as a Mallard made the All-Star team and received an invite to play in the Prospect Game.
That left the pitching to fall on Austin Larson, Braeden Vivian, Brian Simmons and Nate Michek. Michek was sidelined with an operation on his appendix and had a slow recovery process. Simmons left the club midway through the season when the horse showing circuit got underway.
Larson and Vivian pitched well, often falling victim to an anemic offense or an unsteady defense. Both are pitchers of the future.
Thurdsay nihjt the lone run against the Mustangs came from a swing on a two out first pitch strike that Jordan Olson deposited over the scoreboard in lefta He had one of six hits for the Knights as Trent Jones went 2x4 with Olson, Jack Hellmenn, Bailey Amble and Bobby Noland getting one each.
Brandon Molldrem started and got in an inning before leaving with control problems. He gave up one run on three walks and four hit batters.
Vivian worked six innings, striking out five, walking two on six hits and giving up five unearned runs.
Players looking to join the team next year or would like information contact Pat Reilly, Manager, 608-341-8629.