06/01/2024
This afternoon, your Big Reds squared off against Dundee in the district playoffs. The two teams faced each other in the second game of the day, as Adrian beat Tecumseh in the opener this morning.
Despite carrying a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning, Milan could not hang on, losing to the Vikings 3-2.
The game remained scoreless in the first 2 innings, with Milan taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd. After a single by Kam Ackley and sac bunt by CJ Fairbanks, Kam's courtesy runner Aidan Steinke scored on a Gunnar Kruise single.
The Big Reds would strand two runners as Lewis Wiard flew out to end the inning.
The lead became 2-0 after a Billy Gaskell sac fly in the 5th, which had seen two walks and a sac bunt start the frame.
Things took a turn for the Big Reds in the home half of the 5th. Designated hitter Evan Bennett started off with a single, and pitcher-turned-right-feilder Ethan Layton got a base hit of his own. Bennett would be thrown out trying to advance to 3rd.
With one away, Joey Brink would hit a single, moving Layton up to 2nd base. After Milan starter KJ DeMars struck out Chris LaFountain, Ryan Zanger would double home two runs, tying the game. The scoring threat was vanquished after a lineout to Lewis Wiard in left field, two batters later.
A baserunning mistake would cost the Big Reds a scoring chance in the 6th. Scottie Allen and Zack Straub would both walk, but Allen got picked off at second and Straub thrown out at first on the same play. A Cam Dessellier groundout ended the inning.
Gunnar would come on to pitch in the 6th, and despite a hit by pitch, would set down the Vikings.
Milan had a chance to score in the top of the 7th, but a two out walk was all for naught, as Jaxon Morawski popped out to end the stanza.
In the home 7th, the inning would start out well, as Brink popped out to Morawski. A Chris LaFountain walk and Ryan Zanger intentional walk put a runner in scoring position. A passed ball would have the runners move up a base, and a ground ball by Quinton Lephew brought home the winning run.
On the day, Milan had five hits and one defensive error. Dundee also had five hits, and would face Adrian in the district title game.
Today's starting lineup was..
Fairbanks CF
Kruise 3B
Morawski SS
Gaskell RF
Wiard LF
Allen DH (DeMars P)
Straub 2B
Dessellier 1B
Ackley C
With the loss, the 2024 campaign ends with a 10-21 record. We say goodbye to three seniors - Billy Gaskell, Jaxon Morawski and Andrew Ostrom - and thank each of them for their time with Milan baseball. We also wish them the best of luck with their futures.
We'd also like to thank the fans, parents, supporters and sponsors for their support this season.
