It was one for the books.
Among the dramatic finishes experienced between the Bluejays (4-6) and Highway 12 South Central League rival, Wynot (4-6) in their annual Independence week meetings over the years,
the 2023 version was perhaps one of the greatest.
Crofton, at one time down 4-1, clawed back into this one to gather the big win, 7-6, in the bottom of the 13th inning in front of a large hometown crowd Monday night, July 3. Crofton was down 6-3 going into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Jared Wiebelhaus slapped a double. Andy Knapp hit a single and Lathan Maibaum had another single to set the table and bring things close, 6-4. Wynot pulled Jalen Wieseler from the mound who had been pitching for the Expos since the bottom of the seventh inning, in favor of Jackson Sudbeck.
With bases loaded, two Jays runs walked home to tie things up, 6-6, and send the game into extra innings. Going scoreless through three and a half innings, the Jays got things going when Tyler Koch was hit by a pitch. It was Koch who would make it around, stealing second and taking advantage of an errant throw to make a run for home and the win.
The throw to the plate was high. Koch scored, and Crofton celebrated the win, 7-6. It was a fitting end to a hard fought, well played game by both teams. For Crofton, Ben Hegge started on the mound, pitching through five innings before being relieved by Zach Hegge. He pitched on through the ninth and through the 12th inning, until the Jays brought in Cap Bengston to close it out.
Peyton Wieseler started for Wynot and pitched well through seven innings. On the offensive side, at least six Crofton batters had hits, tallying 10 hits on the night. Wynot had 14 hits. One key moment came in the bottom of the seventh, when Wynot had already scored a couple of runs to take a 4-1 lead. Lathan Maibaum looped a strong single to drive in two runs and keep it close, 4-3.
Following the game, the Crofton Community Club sponsored a large fireworks display to accompany the explosive ball game witnessed through the evening.
Wynot - 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 1
0 0 0 0 - 6 14 1
Crofton - 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3
0 0 0 1 - 7 10 3
The win is the second victory against Wynot this season, having taken their away matchup back in June, allowing Crofton to climb back into the hunt in SCL play. Yankton leads the league at 8-2, followed by Lesterville at 7-3, and Tabor at 7-3. This Thursday, July 6, the Jays travel to the Tappers, and this Sunday, July 9, they are at Menno.