By Mathew Lee

It took eleven innings to crown a sectional winner, but Bucyrus Wynford defeated Upper Sandusky 3-2 to advance to district play May 17^th against Huron at Heidelberg University.

Upper Sandusky’s senior, Justin Mattix and Wynford’s senior, Lantze locked up in a classic pitcher’s duel that resulted in a scoreless game through five innings of play. Mattix worked six strong innings giving up one run on seven hits, while striking out four and walking just one. Lantze worked seven innings giving up one run on two hits while striking out four and walking six.

In the top half of the sixth, Lantze ran in to control problems as he issued back to back walks to senior Adam Duress and junior Daniel Newell. After a wild pitch moved the runners to 2^nd and 3^rd, senior Mark Walton hit a ground ball to shortstop to score Duress and make it a 1-0 game.

In the bottom of the sixth, Mattix issued his first base on balls of the game to junior Hurtz. Stuckman followed that up with a single to move Hurtz to 3^rd.  After a fly ball for the 2^nd out of the inning, sophomore Williamson lined a single to plate Hurtz and tie the game 1-1.

The game stayed locked at 1-1 until the top of the 10^th inning. Hurtz working his 3^rd consecutive inning in relief gave up a one out single to Duress. Duress wasted little time running as he promptly stole 2^nd base to put the go-ahead run in scoring position but, Hurtz was able to strike out Newall to record the 2^nd out of the inning. Walton then laced a single to score Duress from 2^nd base and put Upper ahead 2-1.

In the bottom half of the 10^th, Wynford’s senior Brown, working his 4^th inning in relief gave up a one out single to Hurtz. Stuckman grounded out on a nice tag play at 1^st moving Hurtz to scoring position. Senior Butler ripped a single to score Hurtz and tie the game at 2-2.

In the bottom of the 11^th inning, Williamson led off with a double. With two outs, junior Carter laced a single for the game winning RBI as Williamson came across to give Wynford a 3-2 victory and send them to Heidelberg University where they will square off with Huron.

Hurtz picked up the victory working the last four innings giving up one run on two hits while striking out four. The loss was pinned on Brown as he went the final five innings, allowing two runs on six hits while fanning two.