Rolando delivers game-winning hit again as Unity baseball team rallies past Southeastern

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Carter Rolando and the Mendon Unity baseball team seem to have a flair for the dramatic.

The Mustangs rallied from a 14-12 deficit by scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning to beat Augusta Southeastern 17-14 on Friday. 

Two errors and a single to begin the seventh loaded the bases for Rolando, who hit a single to right field. The ball rolled under Preston Jarboe’s glove, allowing all three runners to score and give the Mustangs a 15-14 lead. A two-out double by Blake Arnsman provided the Mustangs with two insurance runs.

The Suns got runners to first and second with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Skylor Goudschaal induced a groundout off the bat of Aundre Robers and struck out Carson Kerr to end the game.

On April 9, Rolando delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning to beat Liberty 2-1. The Mustangs (8-4) have trailed at some point in three of their last four wins, and three of their last five games have been decided in the seventh inning or later. Unity and Southeastern (2-8) combined for 28 runs in the final five innings on Friday.

Unity designated hitter Sawyer Allen went 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. Southeastern catcher Brady McClintock has a double and a two-run triple that gave the Suns a 13-12 lead in the bottom of the fifth.