Both teams pitched well Monday afternoon at Jinkins Field in Livingston, but Cuba City edged Iowa- Grant 3-2 on an overcast day.
Iowa-Grant grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Will Fulton led off with a single and moved to second on Myles Pettit’s sacrifice bunt. After Everett Zimmer walked, Sam Lundell singled to left to score Fulton. Brock Hinderman then reached on an infield error to load the bases, and Brody Lindner brought home Zimmer on a fielder’s choice. Cuba City responded in the top of the fourth. With runners on second and third and no outs, Brayden Andrews singled in a run. Dawson Graber then drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly to right, and Carson Collins doubled home Andrews to give Cuba City a 3-2 lead.
Neither team threatened the rest of the way as the pitchers stayed in control. Cuba City retired the side in both the sixth and seventh innings. Cam Gruler earned the win, allowing two runs on two hits over six innings while striking out four and walking four. Dawson Graber pitched a scoreless seventh, facing three batters and recording one strikeout.
Zimmer took the loss for the Panthers. He started the game and went 3.2 innings allowing three runs on three hits while striking out three and walking three. Ayson Speth pitched 3.1 innings allowing one hit, striking out three and walking one.
Fulton and Lundell collected the only two hits for the Panthers.
Mason Kirk had two hits for Cuba City.