By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
COLDWATER – In their first-ever trip to the ACME state tournament, the Edgerton Bulldogs were one out away from defeating the 2023 ACME state champions and advancing to the semifinals.
The defending champs responded with their back to wall, getting back-to-back RBI singles in their last at-bat to pull out a 3-2 walk-off win.
Indian Lake struck first in the opening inning as Madden Lillard and Griffin Schaub each doubled to start the frame to take a 1-0 lead.
Edgerton went ahead in the fourth inning after Jackson Flower reached on an error that put him at third to open the inning and Kellen Sanchez was hit by a pitch.
Sanchez would then move to second on a catcher indifference and Noah Weaver hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Flower to tie the game 1-1 and moving Sanchez to third.
Braden Leppelmeier then put the Bulldogs ahead 2-1 with an RBI groundout to the right side as Sanchez scored the second run of the inning.
The Indian Lake rally in the seventh started when a Colton Corcoran popup was mishandled allowing him to reach base.
After Edgerton starter Scottie Krontz would get Kolton Cummins to popout, Aaron Rapp was hit by a pitch to put the game winning runs on base.
Krontz answered back by getting Jaxon Snipes to strikeout swinging for the second out of the inning, but Brady Goliday singled to center to score Corcoran and tie the game at 2-2.
With runners now at second and third, Krontz intentionally walked Lillard to load the bases and give the Bulldogs a force out opportunity at each base.
Schaub then delivered his second hit of the game, this time an infield RBI single to second base, driving in the winning run from third, putting Indian Lake into the semifinals.
Krontz ended the game allowing three runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts.
EDGERTON 000 200 0 – 2 1 1
INDIAN LAKE 100 000 2 – 3 6 1
Records: Edgerton 14-5, Indian Lake 13-1
WINNING PITCHER: Tidwell (1 inning, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 strikeout, 1 walk) OTHER: Snipes
LOSING PITCHER: Krontz (6.2 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 earned, 8 strikeouts, 2 walks)
LEADING HITTERS: (Edgerton) 1 single; (Indian Lake) Schaub – double, single, 2 RBIs; Lillard – double