Rangers battle back for 11-10 extra inning win

The Dayton Rangers fell behind early, but outscored the Fairborn Athletics 11-3 over the final 7 innings en route to an 11-10 extra inning win on May 15th at AIA.

Zach Carroll started for the Rangers, but didn't make it out of the first as result of hitting four batters. Joe Staten forced a pop-up to end the inning with the A's taking a quick 3-0 lead. Newcomer Phil Donovan took over on the mound in the second and gave up an RBI single to Kyle Combs and a 3-run HR to Joey Watson before he was able to catch his breath. With a 7-0 deficit, Donovan was able to pitch effectively into the 7th giving the Rangers an opportunity to get back into the game.

In the fourth inning, the Rangers sent 10 batters to the plate. Ben Schubert led off with a triple, his second of the season. Robert Riley followed with a one-out RBI single. After a walk to Josh Cawein and a HBP by Ben Schooler, Jelani Arnold was hit by a pitch to score the second run for the Rangers. James Robinson then connected on a bases-clearing double for a 7-5 score.

In the bottom of the fifth, Schubert again opened up with a single. Joe Staten followed suit with a single of his own. Cawein singled in Schubert to cut the lead to one. Staten would score on a wild pitch and two batters later, Arnold hit a sac fly to right field to give the Rangers an 8-7 lead.    The top of the seventh saw the A's put the leadoff batter aboard with a double. Chris Estepp singled home the go-ahead run. Two more runners would score on a fielding error with two outs and give the A's a 10-8 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Steve Marshall worked a leadoff walk. Ben Schubert would then launch a two-run home run to left center to tie the game and force extra innings.    Shawn Schmitt entered to pitch the 8th inning, worked around a walk and a single to get three infield flyouts to give the Rangers another chance to win the game. Jelani led off the bottom of the 8th by getting hit by a pitch. James Robinson's pop fly to shallow right field was dropped when the fielders collided. After a groundout to put runners at second and third, Meeko Gomez walked to load the bases. Jonmarc Lippincott then took four straight balls to walk in the winning run.    

Schmitt picked up his second win of the year, and his 32nd career MVABL victory, passing Astros' great Tony Walters for most wins all-time in the MVABL.

Offensive highlights: Ben Schubert 3-for-4, 3 runs, 2RBI, triple, HR; Josh Cawein 1-for-4, 2 runs, RBI; James Robinson 1-for-4, 3RBI, double.

Historical Notes: James Robinson needs 3 more hits to get 200 career hits. Aaron Armstrong needs 2 more runs scored to reach 100 in the league. Shawn Schmitt picked up his 32nd career MVABL win and is still 5 strikeouts away from 400 career league punchouts.