By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Tuesday night the Merrill baseball team traveled to Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids for their playoff game against Lincoln High School. Merrill got on the board early, but a Rapids counter punch would be enough for a 2-1 win over the Jays.
Merrill would score first, taking one run in the top of the first inning. Mason Smith led off the game hitting a single to left field. Smith would advance to second on an error on the second basemen, also allowing Kordell Renken to reach base. Kole Meyer would courtesy run for Smith and advance to third base on a fly ball. Meyer would later steal home, giving Merrill a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first inning Rapids would come back and score one run of their own to tie the game. An error and bunt would put a runner in scoring position, where he would later score on a ground out. Rapids would then score the decisive run in the bottom of the third inning. A double followed up by a single would be enough to score a run and give Rapids a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning Merrill got a rally started, loading the bases for Kordell Renken. Renken went up 3-0 in the count, however the Rapids pitcher would fill the count throwing two strikes before Renken hit a line drive to right field that would be caught to end the game.
There was not much offense for Merrill in the game, however their leading hitters include: Piersen Pyan (2-3, 2 singles), Meyer with one hit and one run scored, Smith with a hit and Peyton Becker with a single.
It was a well pitched game for Merrill with two pitchers taking the load. Chase Bonnell started on the mound and went five innings, striking out one, walking one, and allowing one earned run on six hits. Adam Detert pitched the final inning, striking out one batter and walking one, giving up one hit and zero runs.