Merchants take tough loss in finale

The Abbotsford Merchants baseball team could not find the win in their final regular season game this past Sunday, falling at home to the Rib Lake Ospreys 15-5 in eight innings.

What initially looked like it would be a back and forth affair turned into a blowout for the visiting Ospreys, who shutdown Abbotsford’s offense after the first two innings, only surrendering a single run over the final six frames. Meanwhile, Rib Lake’s lineup had no problems continuing to put constant pressure on the Merchant’s pitching staff, scoring in every inning but the seventh.

The top of the Abbotsford lineup started off the game strong, answering the Osprey’s first inning run with two of their own to take the lead. With two outs, shortstop Payton Schreiber knocked in right fielder Reed Knecht with a big RBI double deep down the left field line. First baseman Hunter Soyk followed up Schreiber’s hit with a single, batting in another run and giving the Merchants a 2-1 advantage.

Rib Lake answered quickly in the second, scoring two runs and loading the bases before the first out of the inning could be recorded. Starting pitcher Mateo Lopez managed to get himself out of the jam by striking out two consecutive batters and knocking down a line drive up the middle, which he was able to recover and throw over to first for the final out of the inning.

With the damage limited, the Merchants were able to strike back in the bottom half of the frame. Chance Clement reached first on a bunt attempt and was able to steal second during the following at-bat. An overthrow on the play allowed the centerfielder to advance to third. An error by the Osprey’s first baseman with two outs gave Clement an opportunity to go home and tie the game. Another error set the stage for Knecht, who drove in Lopez with an RBI single, giving Abbotsford the lead once more.

That lead was once again short lived, as the bottom of Rib Lake’s lineup continued to do damage. Two more runs came across the plate for the Ospreys and it looked to be the beginning of the end for the Merchants.

The earlier offensive success all but dissipated for the home team, who would not get another hit until the seventh inning. Two walks in the bottom of the fourth gave them some hope to climb back into the game, but Rib Lake’s defense was able to close the door. By the time catcher Blake Bargender ended Abbotsford’s hitless streak in the seventh, the visitors had grown their lead out to five, holding a 9-4 advantage.

The Merchants managed to capitalize on the single in the seventh, but left the potential of a bigger inning on the table. After drawing two walks following Bargender’s single, Abbotsford found themselves with the bases loaded and just one out. While Bargender was eventually able to score on a passed ball, the home team was unable to come up with the big hit to bring themselves back into the game.

With the Merchants needing another hold, Rib Lake instead came away with their biggest inning of the day in the eighth. Six runs came across the plate for the Ospreys in the inning, giving them a 15-5 lead. After Abbotsford was unable to manufacture any further runs in the bottom half of the frame, the game was called early due to the 10run difference.

Lopez started the game for the Merchants and was ultimately given the loss. He went three innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and three walks. He also struck out three batters. Schreiber entered the game afterwards and pitched four innings. He gave up nine runs, six of which were earned, also on eight hits and three walks. He struck out four batters. Aaron Morrow closed out the eighth for Abbotsford, giving up one hit and one unearned run and striking out a batter in his one inning of work.

The loss dropped the Merchants to 4-3 in the Dairyland Small. It also had huge implications for the team’s placement and the seed they received for the playoff tournament. After having the potential to tie for first place heading into the game, Abbotsford instead finished the season in sixth place.

They will see a very familiar opponent in the first round of the Dairyland Small tournament to be held on August 11-13 in Rib Lake. The sixthseeded Merchants will face off against the third-seeded Ospreys to open the tournament. They will play the latest game on Saturday, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. If they win, they will play the winner of the Interwald versus Medford game at 10 a.m. on Sunday and the championship will be held at 4 p.m.