Trojans post 2 dramatic BNC wins

Mendota tops Winnebago, Dixon

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Posted 4/20/17

Stillman Valley rallied to score four runs over the final two innings and defeated Mendota, 5-3, in a Big Northern Conference varsity baseball game on April 11 at the MHS diamond.

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Trojans post 2 dramatic BNC wins

Mendota tops Winnebago, Dixon

Posted

Mendota’s Sam Becker displays the safe sign after stealing second against Winnebago on April 15. The game was postponed in the fourth because of rain with the Trojans leading, 2-1. No makeup date has been announced. (Reporter photo)

Stillman Valley rallied to score four runs over the final two innings and defeated Mendota, 5-3, in a Big Northern Conference varsity baseball game on April 11 at the MHS diamond.

Each team scored in the opening inning – Stillman Valley once and Mendota twice – and the score remained that way until the top of the sixth with the Cardinals struck for three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Stillman Valley added another run in the seventh and the Trojans closed out with one tally in the bottom of the frame.

Mendota outhit the visitors, eight to six, led by Paxton Kennedy with two singles and a double. He drove in two runs. Sam Becker contributed a single and a double, while Bryar Lindenmeyer had a hit and an RBI.

Bryson Prusator went the distance on the hill for Mendota and took the loss. He permitted six hits, two earned runs, walked one and struck out 11.

* * *

Mendota was on the verge of its second straight loss before erupting in the seventh inning to post a 10-5 come-from-behind victory over Winnebago in a BNC contest on April 13 at Winnebago.

The Trojans led 3-0 heading to the fourth when Winnebago made it a one-run game at 3-2. The Indians took the lead with three in the bottom of the fifth and carried that cushion to the top of the seventh, but Mendota scored seven times to pull out the dramatic win.

The Trojans had six hits in the game, led by Kennedy with three singles and two runs batted in. Prusator and Cruz Figueroa each delivered a double, while Jake Nurnberg drove in two runs.

Winnebago picked up seven safeties off of two Mendota pitchers, including four doubles and a home run. Figueroa worked the first five innings and gave up six hits and five earned runs. He walked one and fanned eight. Kennedy came on in the sixth and pitched a pair of scoreless frames to get the win. He gave up one hit and struck out three.

* * *

Mendota pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to claim a 5-4 win over Dixon in conference play on April 17 at the MHS diamond.

The Trojans led twice at 2-0 and 4-2, but Dixon responded to tie the game both times. Then in the seventh, Ivan Cuevas led off the frame with a double and left in favor of pinch runner John Buchanan. Jose Escatel walked and Becker was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The winning run came home when Ben Bokus coaxed a walk.

Mendota (10-2, 7-2) had eight hits in the contest, including two singles by Kennedy and a double by Joe LaShonse.

Prusator pitched a complete game to earn the victory. He allowed nine hits, four earned runs, did not issue a walk and fanned nine.