WALLEYE 18U Rallies Past UD Expos 14U in High-Scoring Contest
MCF Staff Reports
Walleye 18U overcame an early four-run deficit to earn a 13-10 victory over UD Expos 14U in a back-and-forth matchup on Saturday, June 13.
The game featured plenty of offense, with Walleye 18U collecting eight hits and UD Expos 14U adding five. Walleye 18U trailed 9-5 after two innings before mounting a comeback.
Walleye 18U struck first in the top of the opening inning, scoring three runs. Bradley Clark crossed the plate on a groundout by Braylen Tolbert, while additional runs scored after Clark was hit by a pitch and Harper Moberg drew a walk.
UD Expos 14U responded in the bottom of the first to take a 4-3 lead. Aiden Grier walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, Cooper Muus drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, and Parker Brien delivered a two-run single.
Walleye 18U regained the advantage in the second inning when Tolbert singled home a run, making it 5-4. However, UD Expos 14U answered with a five-run bottom half of the inning. An error that brought home two runs highlighted the rally as the Expos moved ahead 9-5.
The visitors battled back in the third, tying the score at 9-9 on a passed ball, a bases-loaded walk by Brandon Spacher, and an RBI single from Isaiah Leahy.
Walleye 18U moved back in front in the fourth when Moberg singled to score a run and give his team a 10-9 lead. UD Expos 14U evened the game at 10-10 in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Zachary Wyman.
The decisive rally came in the sixth. Carter Branstrom delivered an RBI single to left field, Leahy drew a run-scoring walk, and Erin Luna added another RBI single to put Walleye 18U ahead 13-10.
Branstrom earned the win in relief for Walleye 18U, allowing one hit and three runs, none earned, over 4⅓ innings. He struck out one and walked six. Moberg started and worked 1⅔ innings, allowing four hits and seven runs, though only one was earned, while striking out three.
For UD Expos 14U, starting pitcher Kairi Miller went the distance, allowing eight hits and 13 runs, 11 earned, while striking out nine and issuing 14 walks.
Tolbert led Walleye 18U offensively with three RBIs. Luna paced the team with two hits, while Leahy reached base frequently with three walks. Walleye 18U showed patience at the plate throughout the game, drawing 14 walks and stealing seven bases. Clark led the way on the bases with three stolen bags, and the team also turned a double play defensively.
Brien drove in two runs for UD Expos 14U, while Miller helped his own cause with a team-high two hits. The Expos drew eight walks, with Grier and Mclain Christianson each collecting two free passes.
After falling behind early, Walleye 18U used timely hitting and disciplined plate appearances to complete the comeback and secure the 13-10 win.