The TMB baseball team experienced in one game last week as many highs and lows as some teams do in a whole season in a 9-7 extra inning loss to Canby.
• The Panthers committed errors on the first two balls put in play, yet didn’t allow a run in the top of inning.
• The first three TMB hitters in the bottom of the first all came around to score for a 3-0 lead.
• Canby scored four runs in the top of the third to take a 4-3 lead.
• TMB scored a run in the third to tie the game at 4.
• Canby pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth for a 7-4 lead.
• The Panthers scored single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game again and send it into extra innings.
• The Lancers scored two more times in the top of the eighth to retake the lead and would end up winning.
“I’m glad we didn’t roll over, and we forced extras, but its a little frustrating,” TMB manager James Fultz said. “They know we can clean things up. It’s tough to simulate games like this — coming back in the seventh … it’s a natural letdown when you don’t win it.”
TMB was down to its final two outs in the seventh after David Schuh was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.
After a strikeout and two stolen bases by Schuh, little-used designated hitter Kevin Brown lasered a sharp liner to second for his second hit of the game to score Schuh and force an eighth inning.
“He got his first varsity hit last week, and his bat has looked good in practice,” Fultz said of Brown. “So we thought we’d give it a try and it worked out well — scored a run, got a couple of hits. Very good for him. In the seventh, we needed that one. He came in the dugout after and said, ‘Sorry, it was right at a guy.’ I said, ‘You hit the ball hard, that’s all we’re asking for.”
The good vibes the Panthers had were washed away in the eighth when Canby sent eight batters to the plate. Canby started the inning with back-to-back singles, but both were forced out at third base on fielder’s choice plays. However, the latter pair scored on another single and two walks.
Noah Knakmuhs hit a one-out double in the bottom of the eighth, but was stranded.
TMB committed four errors. “I told the guys, we’re not going to get 17 hits a game, so the defense is what you’re going to have to rely on every single game,” said Fultz. “Today, we scored seven runs, but between errors, bad throws, walks — that’s the two runs that we lost by.”
Knakmuhs ended up 3-for-5 and Trevor Smith reached base four times — he was hit by a pitch twice, walked and singled.
Smith took the loss in relief of Alex Munson, who looked sharp over his first two innings before allowing the four third-inning runs.
Canby 004 300 02 — 9 9 3 TMB 301 101 10 — 7 8 4 Munson, Smith (L, 4) and Squires. 2B: Knakmuhs.
SACB: Squires.
MAY 8: TMB 11, ORTONVILLE 1
The Panthers outhit Ortonville 11-2 with three batters collecting two hits in an 11-1 victory last Thursday.
Griffin Zick, Noah Knakmuhs and Connor Lanoue all had multi-hit games for the Panthers, who scored five first-inning runs.
That was more than enough for Lanoue, who allowed just two hits. He struck out seven and walked two.
Knakmuhs also scored three runs, and Zick scored twice. Zick had a triple and knocked in three runs, and David Schuh belted in two runs with a double.
Ortonville 000 01 — 1 2 3 TMB 520 4x — 11 11 1 Lanoue and Squires. 2B: Schuh. 3B: Zick
SAFE OR OUT? TMB baserunner Connor Lanoue was involved in a close play at the plate in the sixth inning of last Friday’s loss to Canby. Lanoue is pictured at left sliding into the catcher and appeared to be out, but after tumbling over his opponent and touching home plate, Lanoue was ruled safe as he looks back at the umpire for confirmation. Photos / Per Peterson
KEVIN BROWN was one of TMB’s offensive heroes last Friday, with two hits and a run scored. Brown drove in the game-tying run in the seventh. Photos / Per Peterson
