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Medley's can't cook up late-game comeback
morrison junior coed - Kaden Rucker.jpg
Medley’s pitcher Kaden Rucker barrels to the home plate as pitcher Isaiah Robledo of High Funeral Home reaches to tag him. It was a controversial night as Rucker was ultimately called out for failing to touch second base, costing Medley’s a vital run that would have tied the game. - photo by Taylor Moore

Morrison Ruritan Ball Park hosted the beginning of their tournaments Monday night with two very competitive and close games in the Junior League. 

High Funeral Home started the night beating Medley’s by 1 run. Morrison Public Library followed by beating Tim’s Motors by 1 run after Tim’s Motors couldn’t score the tying run with the bases loaded.

High’s put Medley’s in an early hole after scoring 5 runs in the first inning. By the end of the third, Medley’s only had 1 run scored by Macie Pope. The fourth inning proved to be a competitive inning as High’s scored 6 more runs to make it 11-1 before the bottom of the fourth when Medley’s came to life.

Medley’s turned it around scoring 4 runs of its own and continued scoring in the fifth and sixth innings. By the bottom of the sixth, Medley’s closed the gap 11-7. Feeling optimistic, Medley’s went on to score 2 more runs to only trail by 2. Gray Sliger and Kaden Rucker both safely made it home thanks to Rylee Scott’s big hit. 

However, Rucker never touched second base, as ruled by the umpire, so when High’s pitcher Isaiah Robledo contested his score, Rucker was called out and his run didn’t count. Medley’s definitely didn’t benefit from any home cooking on the tough call.

Now with two outs, Medley’s was determined to earn that run back. Scott and Condy Ayers both scored runs bringing Medley’s score to 10, but with one more out made at first base, High’s left Medley’s in the dirt and solidified the win, 11-10.

Following that close game, Morrison Public Library threw the book at Tim’s Motors to win by 1 run, 15-14. By the third inning, Morrison Library was ahead by 1 run with both teams scoring consistently. Tim’s Motors stalled by not scoring in the third and Morrison Library scored 4 runs to quiet the Tim’s Motors crowd.

With ground to cover, Tim’s Motors hit the gas. Micah Shetler and Camron Martin both scored in the fourth, but then the Library made two outs, stacking the odds against Tim’s. With two outs and down by 5 runs, Tim’s Motors had to play catch up -- and catch up they almost did. 

Tim’s Motors scored 4 runs. Unfortunately, when the bases were loaded, Tim’s received its third out, giving Morrison Public Library a win. The Library gained a long overdue 15-14 victory and will advance with High Funeral Home in the tournament.

In the Senior League, Namaste OB/GYN and Jeff’s Towing are both moving on in the tournament beating Homeland Community Bank and Davenport’s, respectively.