Mustangs keep win streak alive by fighting back for nine-inning victory over Panthers

MENDON, Ill. — The manner in which the Palmyra baseball team rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning Monday to tie the game could have put Mendon Unity on its heels.

Instead, the Mustangs proved they refuse to buckle.

Cody Shaffer’s single through the left side of the infield with one out in the bottom of the ninth salvaged a 9-8 victory for Unity, which has won seven consecutive games.

A six-run second inning, highlighted by Shaffer’s two-out, bases-clearing triple, gave the Mustangs the lead, and they carried it until the seventh. Trailing 8-6, the Panthers scored their first run with two outs as Logan Kroeger scurried home on a wild pitch.

After Ethan Tallman was intentionally walked and Cade Lehman singled to load the bases, Palmyra scored the tying run on a passed ball.

Shaffer singled with two outs in the seventh, but Unity’s rally went no further. In the eighth inning, Palmyra’s Raeson Miller singled leading off, but Unity right-hander Sawyer Allen retired the next three in order. Ben McClelland led off Unity’s half of the eighth with a single and Allen was hit by a pitch. However, a double play helped Palmyra get out of the inning with no damage.

In the top of the ninth, Palmyra loaded the bases as Ty Haskins led off by reaching on an error, Tallman walked with one out and Lehman singled. Unity turned a double play to end the inning without allowing a run.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Mustangs’ Avery Frese doubled with one out and went to third on Miles Moulton’s single. Shaffer followed with his walk-off single.

Shaffer finished 4 for 6 with four RBIs, while McClelland went 3 for 4 and Allen and Sam Skylor Goudschaal each had two hits. Allen worked the final 1 ⅔ innings of relief to earn the victory.

Lehman went 3 for 4 and Kroeger finished 3 for 5 for Palmyra, while Tallman and Rylan Compton each doubled twice.