Led by timely hitting in the first two innings and the solid pitching of Zach Ehrlich through 5 2/3 innings, the Fischer Plumbing Baseball Club defeated a scrappy Albert Lee team 3-1 in the finals of the Magnolia Little League Majors Tournament on June 10 at Raye Field.
Albert Lee had defeated Fischer Plumbing the previous night 8-6 in 8 innings (two extra innings), forcing the winner-take-all game the following evening.
Ehrlich ended up striking out six while scattering six hits in the contest.
Closer Alex Larsen picked up the save by striking out the last Albert Lee batter to end the game.
The bottom half of the last inning was highlighted by remarkable plays by Fischer's first baseman Daniel Merz and second baseman Johnny Ochsner.
Merz back-handed a scorching ground ball for the first out. Ochsner then caught a screaming line drive to his left for the second out.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth frame, Albert Lee catcher, Majiid Faroozi, hit a two-out infield single before Larsen got the final out.
"These were two great teams who've battled each other all year," said Fischer Manager Bill Ehrlich. "I am just glad we came out on top in that last game."
Ehrlich also noted the steady play of Fischer Plumbing's Ryan Orr, Ben Lewis, Jackson Whittaker, Alex Malinowski, Alec Sokol, Chris Stanley, Luccas Prior and Philip Escarez throughout the year.[[In-content Ad]]
