WALKING OFF — Winnebago/Blue Earth Posts 82 & 89 baserunner Logan O’Hara (bottom) slides into home under Welcome-Sherburn Post 553 catcher Christian Bachenberg for the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh during American Legion baseball action Monday night in Blue Earth as WBE second baseman Luke Schonborn (4) watches the play. (Photo by Greg Abel)

BLUE EARTH – A 45-minute rain delay damped the Winnebago/Blue Earth Posts 82 & 89 bats early, but as the rain slowed, the offense sped up.

WBE walked off Welcome-Sherburn Post 553 during American Legion baseball action Tuesday in Blue Earth for a 7-6 win in the first half of a doubleheader. WBE then eased to an 8-1 win in five-innings at Veterans Field.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh in the opening game, Welcome-Sherburn held a 6-4 advantage, then Posts 82 & 89 got to work.

After a flyout, Keegan O’Brien walked and Luke Mertens swatted a 2-2 pitch to center to put runners on first and second. Logan O’Hara followed with a single that dropped just fair down the left-field line to load the bases. Kean Hicks then hit a grounder to third, forcing a throw to the plate, which O’Brien beat by a step. After a flyout put WBE one out from a loss, Ryan Madetzke singled to center, bringing in Soren Fering, who pinch ran for Mertens, easily before O’Hara sprinted toward the plate and scored, just beating the throw as it travelled to the backstop.

“Welcome-Sherburn came out and played a fantastic game in the first game,” WBE head coach Paul Nienaber said. “We did a lot of little things really well.”

The teams had been tied heading into the top of the seventh, but Welcome-Sherburn was able to take a lead on the strength of three hits.

Nick Luhman led off the inning with a single to right center, then Zach Anderson singled to right center to put runners on first and second.

Kain Sanders dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third, then Christian Bachenberg doubled, sending a line drive just fair down the left field line for two RBIs.

WBE scored the first runs of the game in the third.

Madetzke led off the inning when he was hit by a pitch, then Luke Schonborn laid a bunt single down the third base line. Parker Meyers sent a line drive through the right side of the infield for two RBIs. Welcome-Sherburn grabbed the lead in the top of the fourth. Blake Jagodzinske and Jacob Fiala were hit by pitches, then Lucas Jagodzinske singled over WBE’s leaping shortstop to bring a run home before a throwing error allowed Fiala to score as well, while putting Lucas Jagodzinske on second. Lucas Larson then singled to right for an RBI. WBE scored two more runs in the fourth on two hits, including a double from Schonborn, and the second time Madetzke was hit by a pitch. Welcome-Sherburn tied the game in the sixth when Wyatt Williamson singled, Fiala doubled and Tyson Thiesse hit a sacrifice fly.

“These guys never quit, that was a good back and forth game,” Welcome-Sherburn head coach Phillip Rotunda said. “That last inning there … they had a chance, you just tip your cap to Blue Earth because they found a way to win.”

Anthony Carr pitched 6 1/3 for WBE, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out two.

O’Hara pitched the final 2/3 and struck out one batter.

Sanders pitched the first 6 1/3 for Welcome-Sherburn and allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out one. Anderson pitched the final 1/3, allowing one run on three hits.

WBE cruised to its second win. Posts 82 & 89 scored two runs in the first on three walks and two hit batters, then added another run in the second on two walks and an error. Welcome-Sherburn scored in the top of the third after a hit batter, two walks and an error, then WBE scored eight runs on one hit, three walks and two errors in the third.

Abe Kokos pitched the first four innings for WBE, allowing one run on two hits and four walks, while striking out one. Kean Hicks pitched the final inning and struck out all three batters he faced. Williamson pitched the first two innings for Welcome-Sherburn, allowing three runs on one hit and five walks, while striking out two, then Bachenberg pitched the final two innings and allowed five runs on one hit and four walks, while striking out three.

Welcome-Sherburn (0-7) goes to Madelia on Wednesday, while WBE (6-0) goes to Madelia on Thursday.

Game 1

WS 000 301 2 — 6 8 1

WBE 002 200 3 – 1 10 1

Winning run scored with two outs in the seventh.

LOB–WS 5, WBE 7. 2B–Jacob Fiala (WS), Christian Bachenberg (WS), Luke Schonborn (WBE). SAC–Kain Sanders (WS), Adam Schavey (WBE).

Game 2

WS 001 00 – 1 1 4

WBE 215 0x – 8 2 1

LOB–WS 6, WBE 8. SAC–Will Howard (WBE).

Fairmont 6, Sleepy Eye 4 – Fairmont Legion Post 36 scored four runs in the final three innings to beat Sleepy Eye.

Levi Pooley had three hits for Fairmont, while Eli Anderson, ,Jack Kosbab and Preston Vaughn all had two. Anderson pitched the first five innings and allowed three runs on five hits and one walk, while striking out two for the win. Jacob Crissinger pitched the final two innings and allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out three for the save.

Fairmont (3-3) plays host to New Ulm on Thursday.