The Fulton Railroaders defeated the Marion Bobcats, 3-2
The Railroaders advance to the final Championship round in Post Season Playoffs after sweeping the Bobcats 2 straight games in the first bracket. In contrast to Tuesday's 9-3 win in Marion, the Railroaders had to fight back to take the game in the final half of inning of play. Both teams were scoreless through 2 innings with each loading the bases once but failing to bring runners home. The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd as Desmond Roberts scored from 3rd base when Fulton failed to turn a doubled play with 1 out. In the bottom of the 4th and 2 outs, Mike Pudlo walked bringing Mikee Moore to plate. Moore jumped on the first pitch and hit a solid line drive homer over the flag pole in center field, giving Fulton a 2-1 lead. The scoring ceased through the next 3 innings as both starters, Roman Kelly for Fulton and Todd Brazell for Marion, held batters at bay and were backed by good defensive play on both sides. Top of the 8th, the Bobcats got their chance and tied the game; Kyle Vander Ark lead off with a single, sacrificed to 2nd then scored from a Cody Kottich RBI single Tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the 9th, Mikee Moore singled to start the inning then was given 2nd base on a balk called on reliever Daniel Szathmary who started the inning. Moore made 3rd on a wild pitch as Marion sent in Matthew Vollenweider to face Rob Hogenkamp at the plate with 1 out. Hogenkamp then hit a high lazy chopper in front of Vollenweider who scooped it up, looked Moore back to 3rd then dropped the ball turning to throw to 1st base for an out. Moore, the leading base stealer in the league, didn't hesitate and broke for home. Vollenweider quickly recovered the ball and threw off balance and high to plate as Moore slid under the tag to win the game for Fulton. Tate Glasscock gets the win pitching the 9th entering the game tied. Daniel Szathmary take a hard loss pitching only 1/3 inning but allowed the go ahead run Moore to get aboard.
The loss for the Bobcats ends the post season play for Marion. The Railroaders now take a day off and wait to see who they will play in the final championship round. The Pirates win on Wednesday ties the 3 game series with the Oilers at 1 game each. The two teams will play again on Thursday to decide the which team advances. An Owensboro win would see the Oilers in Fulton on Friday night, a Pirate win will send the Railroaders to Tradewater on Friday, then home on Saturday for game 2 of the final set.