Photo by Jake Olson: North Union's Max Merrill sprints towards first base after collecting his first of five hits during Wednesday night's contest against Eagle Grove at Bancroft Memorial Park.

BANCROFT – The first 1-2-3 inning of Wednesday night’s contest between Eagle Grove and North Union came at just the right time for the visiting team. Relief pitcher Carter Nielson worked his way through the bottom of the seventh with haste, striking out Cooper Hoye to pick up the 16-14 victory once and for all at Bancroft Memorial Park.

“We could have rolled over and gotten 10 run-ruled the way we pitched and played to start with,” North Union head coach Cory Rezac said. “It took Casey [Rezac] a couple of innings to get rolling, Max [Merrill] came in and did okay, and we fought back. …but, ultimately, we have to throw more strikes.”

Five of North Union’s 13 allowed walks came in the first two innings. This allowed the Eagles to post seven runs in this stretch, with two key RBI hits from Trenton Robinson helping lead the early offensive outburst.

However, the Warriors matched their opponent every step of the way. Max Merrill slashed a pair of RBI hits while Casey Rezac added one more with a single to the right side of the field. Dyson Wikert tied things up with his hot shot to second base, proving too much for Jackson Babcock to handle.

Casey Rezac’s last inning of his outing and Merrill’s first two frames out of the bullpen limited Eagle Grove to just a pair of additional runs. It gave a powerful Warrior offense just enough of a deficit to strike back as they entered the bottom of the fifth.

Cooper Hoye’s lead-off triple to deep center field charged the Warriors to their most productive inning of the contest. Casey Rezac and Merrill tacked on two more RBI hits before Wikert brought in his fourth run of the day on a sacrifice fly to right field. Wiley Stevens put on the exclamation point after ripping a single through the left side to bring in Nicoson. A two-run Warrior deficit turned into a two-score advantage.

“We didn’t have many strikeouts, which I will take that,” Cory Rezac said. “We hit the ball and made plays. And us having 20 total hits, I’m super happy with that. We have been coming on with the bats, and that’s very encouraging.”

But Eagle Grove matched this an inning later, scoring their own slot of four runs that was highlighted by a two RBI base knock from Adrian Whipple with the bases loaded. Whipple ultimately scored the final run on a passed ball to retake momentum.

The Warriors’ offense continued to obliterate the ball in a last-ditch effort to win the game in the home half of the sixth. Hoye, after drawing a walk, stole his way around the base paths before ultimately touching home with his speed. Casey Rezac did the same, but instead vaulted to score after Merrill’s fifth and final hit of the night drove in a second run.

“Cooper [Hoye] and Casey [Rezac] have the greenlight [to steal bases] almost every time,” Cory Rezac said. “We know when we can steal, and other kids are aware to get good leads and get to second, turning that walk or single into a double. And we just try to feed off that.”

Another single from Nicoson was followed by a grounder to the Eagles’ middle infield, causing a fielder’s choice and bringing in the leading run. North Union held a 14-13 lead heading into the final frame.

The Eagles’ comeback seemed inevitable after Gavin Pedersen led off the inning with a double into left-center field. Eagle Grove quickly tied things up a couple of pitches later after Keegan Eisentrager roped a single that brought in Pederson from his spot on the bases.

They added two more runs off a passed ball score from Jace Olson and an RBI double from Babcock. Nicoson relieved Merrill to face the final batter, striking out Whipple to get out of the jam. But the damage was done.

It’s the second win of the 2026 season for the Eagles (2-7). Meanwhile, North Union (6-6) slips back to .500 after taking down West Hancock on Tuesday afternoon. They return to the ball diamond this Friday at Garner Hayfield Ventura. First pitch is slated for 7:30 p.m.