Herald staff
WICHITA, Kan. – The sultry Midwest heat played a leading role in the demise of the Everett Merchants, who lost 2-1 against the Clarinda (Iowa) Athletics in Monday’s round of the National Baseball Congress World Series.
The loss eliminated the Merchants. Everett, which won the series back in 1988, was making its fifth visit to Kansas.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but the heat really played a factor,” said Everett Merchants manager Harold Pyatte.
Everett tied the score 1-1 in the fifth inning when outfielder Todd Linden grounded out to shortstop, allowing Cole Craig to score from third base. However, a costly error in the sixth inning sealed Everett’s fate. Shortstop Grant Zurmely’s middle-inning bumble allowed Athletics leadoff batter Josh Beaverton to reach first base. Beaverton would later score the winning run on a Tony Donahue two-out single.
The Merchants’ biggest woes came from the plate as they stranded nine runners.
“Our bats fell silent,” Pyatte said. “It was a pitchers’ duel from the start. Overall, we played a good season. Hopefully we will get all of our guys back next year.”
Everett starting pitcher Tim Petke scattered six hits and struck out five batters. Joe Gerber led the Merchants offensively, going 2-for-4, while Snohomish’s Eric Rodland went 1-for-2, grabbing the team’s only extra-base hit.
The Merchants finished the season with a 32-13 record.
Burger , White (5), Hill. Petke, Stencil (8), and Hess, Blacken (8) WP-Burger (1-0). LP-Petke (0-1) . Records – Everett 1-2 in tournament .
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