Clarissa

defeats

Essig

Essig meets

Lonsdale Friday

in elimination

game

NORTHFIELD -- Six Essig errors led to four Clarissa runs as the Flyers topped Essig 6-2 Sunday night in the Class "C" amateur baseball tournament.

Jacob Mertz took the loss for the Bluejays

Essig will play Friday night at 7:30 o'clock in Northfield against Lonsdale in an elimination game.

Derrick Jenniges led Essig with three hits and two RBI.

Essig took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Dusty Fleck singled, went to second on a Terry Helget sacrifice bunt and then scored on Derrick Jenniges' 3-2, 2-out single to center.

The Flyers threatened in the fourth and fifth innings, putting two runners on base in each inning.

But Essig starter Jacob Mertz for fanned 11 in his 6 2/3 innings of work, got out of both situation with no damage.

But Clarissa plated two runs thanks to two Essig errors.

An error by second baseman Mitch Stueber, a walk and an error by shortstop John Giefer put runners on first and second. A suicide squeeze bunt and a wild pitch scored the two Flyer runs of the inning.

The Bluejays sliced that lead in half in the bottom of the sixth. Dusty Fleck legged out an infield single and stole second. Giefer was hit by a pitch before Jenniges collected his second single of the game to score Fleck.

In the seventh inning, Essig's defense allowed two more Flyer runs.

A hit batter by Essig starter Jacob Mertz followed by a walk put runners on first and second with two outs.

Consecutive errors by Stueber and Giefer allowed two more runs to score for a 4-2 lead for Clarissa.

Essig mounted a huge scoring threat in the bottom of the eighth inning when Giefer doubled to start the inning. After two outs, Larry Haala and Travis Walden drew walks to load the bases.

But Jeff Juni, who replaced an injured Ryan Weier in the fifth inning, fanned to end the threat.

Clarissa had just three hits through eight innings

Only two of the Flyer runs -- both coming in the ninth inning -- were earned.

The Flyers used a fielder's choice and a double to put runners on second and third before Monty Hinsman singled for a 6-2 Clarissa lead off Dusty Fleck who relieved Martz with two outs in the seventh

In the bottom of the ninth, Lee Haala led off with a single. He was forced at second on a Fleck ground ball. Doug Radloff singled before a flyout and a groundout ended the contest.

CLARISSA 000-002-202=6-5-0

ESSIG 000-101-000=2-8-6

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