Around the diamond: Mustangs rally in seventh, Blue Devils scored 11 in first, Saukees suffer first loss

MENDON, Ill. — Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, the Mendon Unity baseball team needed baserunners to even think about a rally.

Six consecutive batters safely reaching did the trick.

Ben McClelland and Sawyer Allen started the rally with back-to-back singles before the Mustangs’ patience kicked in. Three of the next four batters walked, forcing in the tying and winning runs in a 5-4 victory over Biggsville West Central.

Carter Reeves walked to load the bases and Skylor Goudschaal singled through the left side of the infield to drive in the first run on the seventh. Elijah Parsons walked on four straight pitches to plate the tying run, and Avery Frese fouled off two two-strike pitches before drawing the game-ending walk.

Simon Rabe threw three innings of relief to earn the win, allowing two runs and four walks while striking out four. Miles Moulton threw the first four innings, allowing two hits and two runs with one strikeout and two walks.

Only one of the four runs the Mustangs allowed was earned.

Cody Shaffer, Rabe and McClelland each had two hits for Unity, which won its third straight game.

Quincy High School 15, Palmyra 9

PALMYRA, Mo. — Quincy High School scored 11 runs in the top of the first inning and picked up the victory at Flower City Park. The Blue Devils capitalized on seven hits, four walks, an error and a passed ball in the opening frame.

Brady Lowe doubled twice and drove in three runs in the first inning and finished 3 for 4. Evan Sohn, Garrett Smith and Owen Zanger had two hits apiece for the Blue Devils. Zanger pitched the first three innings, allowing one earned run and three hits with two strikeouts. Cameron Lawson and Kayleb Bush each threw a scoreless inning of relief.

Reason Miller and Logan Kroeger each had two hits for Palmyra.

Rushville-Industry 3, Pittsfield 2

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — After scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning Thursday, Pittsfield’s offense went silent. The Saukees managed just four hits and were held scoreless over the final six innings in suffering their first loss of the season.

Luke Saxe had two hits and Konner Allen had a two-run double for the Saukees. Brennan Tomhave took the loss, allowing three runs and six hits over four innings with five strikeouts and two walks.

Brown County 8, Calhoun 5

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Maverick Henry’s RBI double and Trey Fullerton’s two-run single highlighted a six-run first inning as Brown County made the lead last. Seven different players collected a hit for the Hornets, who also capitalized on four walks.

Matt Boylen went 5 ½ innings to earn the victory, striking out four, walking one and allowing three earned runs. Myer Maxwell struck out two over 1 ⅔ innings to earn the save.

Highland 8, Knox County 7

EWING, Mo. — A six-run fifth inning propelled Highland to its first victory of the season. The frame featured a pair of two-run doubles from Cooper Bliven and Casey DeClue. Alex Oenning’s RBI single produced what proved to be the winning run.

Brock Schneider went 4 for 4 for the Cougars, while Johnathon Hager went 3 for 4 and allowed three earned runs over four innings with eight strikeouts. Anthony Walter pitched the final three innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four to earn the victory.

Monmouth United 7, Camp Point Central 4

CAMP POINT, Ill. — A two-run seventh-inning rally wasn’t enough to help Central overcome some fielding miscues that led to the loss. Monmouth United scored just four earned runs as Central committed six errors.

Conner Griffin went 2 for 2 with two RBIs, a walk and a leadoff home run in the fourth. Garrett Neisen also went 2 for 3.