In a closely contested game, against Platteville the Pointers overcame two separate three-run deficits. With the score tied at eight in the seventh inning, Hudson Schroeder delivered a single that drove in Evan Kearns from second base with one out, securing a 9-8 victory for Mineral Point over the Hillmen on a windy day at Ted Evans Field.
Platteville jumped to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning as the first two Hillmen batters reached base because of errors by infielders Pointer Adam Cody and Elliot Kite. Carson Opgenorth then homered to center clearing the bases.
Mineral Point would get one run back in the bottom of the third inning when Schroeder would get his second hit of the game with two outs, scoring Brett Bossert who earlier singled.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, and with two outs and no one on, the Pointers loaded the bases after a Platteville error and two walks. Evan Kearns then delivered a single down the left field line scoring Cody and Grady Finley. With bases loaded yet again, Platteville walked another run in giving the Pointers a 4-3 lead.
It didn’t last long. In similar fashion in how the Pointers regained the lead, they lost it. Kite walked the first two batters he faced and an error by Cody loaded the bases with no one out. Three singles and a walk later, the Hillmen had scored four runs to take a 7-4 lead.
Mineral Point would make 7-5 in the bottom of the fifth when pitcher Opgenorth balked, scoring Connor Rolli from third base. In the top of the sixth inning, Opgenorth got that run back hitting his second home run of the day making it 8-5.
Back came Mineral Point with one out and with Cole Ripp on first base, Brylen Lee doubled, sending Ripp to third base. Kite then singled, scoring both Ripp and Lee, and cutting the lead to one. Kite then stole second base, and Rolli hit a clutch single to score Kite, tying the game.
Ripp then pitched the seventh inning for Mineral Point, and he put the Hillmen down in order. Kearns walked to start off the bottom of the seventh. Ripp sacrificed Kearns to second base with a bunt. Kearns advanced to third on a passed ball. With one out and a 2-2 count, Schroeder connected on his third hit of the game and walked off Platteville with that hit. Schroeder led the Pointers at the plate going 3×4 with 3 RBIs.
“We started the game with two errors then gave up a home run so one run turns into a 3-0 hole right away. But we stayed with it and picked it away. Back and forth game. We put together good at bats all game and we’re able to cash in at the right time,” said Head Coach Brett Lawinger.
Mineral Point totaled 12 hits for the game. Kite and Cody each had two hits. Brett Bossert started on the mound for the Pointers, pitching four innings, allowing three hits, three runs and he issuing one walk. Kite relieved him for two innings allowing five hits and four runs. He issued three walks. Ripp earned the win with his scoreless inning in the seventh.
