Manitowoc’s 19U American Legion baseball team suffered an extra-inning loss in the first game of the state tournament.
Despite scoring runs in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, Post 88 fell in nine innings to Middleton 5-4.
Middleton got out to an early lead, putting up three runs over the course of the first two innings, however, powered by Gabe Eichmann and Zach Bradl, Manitowoc was able to battle back in the game’s later stages.
In the top of the 6th inning, thanks to an RBI single by Eichmann and a sac fly off the bat of Kameron Braun.
Eichman would then hit a sac fly of his own in the top of the 7th inning.
This run put Manitowoc up 4-3 with a half inning to play, but a ball hit into the infield in the bottom of the 7th would knot things up at 4 apiece, sending the game to extras.
Easton Harris of Middleton then singled in the bottom of the 9th to plate a run and win the game.
Eichmann would receive the loss on the mound in two innings of relief, giving up two runs and three hits.
Despite the loss, Manitowoc’s state title hopes are not over yet, as the tournament is double elimination.
The team looks to continue their postseason run today (July 30th) at 1:30 p.m. when they take on Stevens Point.
