Fort Madison boys fall at Fairfield

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Trojans earned a three-game series win over Fort Madison with a 5-4 victory in Fairfield Thursday night.
The two teams had split a doubleheader on Tuesday with Fairfield winning the first game 4-2, and then the Bloodhounds winning the nightcap 8-3.
Fairfield’s Tallon Bates hit a bases-loaded, no-out single off freshman Stefan Berlett to score Dain Burkhart for the walkoff win.
The Bloodhounds trailed 4-2 going into the top of the sixth but were able to tie the game up. Junior Tateum Schelich hit a no-out sacrifice fly scoring Michael Fuller, pinch running for Hunter Cresswell, who reached after getting hit by a pitch.
Berlett then doubled to center to move Eric Cornelis, pinch running for Luke Hellige, to third. Cornelis would come around to score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Caden Barnes. Owen Huffman would draw a two-out walk, but a fly out would end the threat, stranding two runners.
Schelich, who pitched 2 1/3 in relief of starter Reece Huey, gave up a double and a single to start the bottom of the seventh. Berlett would enter the game with no outs and give Luke Konczal a pass to load the bases. Bate would then connect on the first pitch he saw to score the winning run.
Cresswell and Hellige both went 2-for-2 with a run scored. Barnes was 1-3 with two RBIs. Schelich and Berlett both had RBIs. Huey went 2 2/3 giving up three runs, two earned on four hits. Schelich’s line was five hits, one run earned, and a strikeout.
Cresswell got the win the second game Tuesday night going five innings giving up five hits and three runs all three earned fanning eight and walking two. Hellige was 1-of-3 with 3 RBIs and two runs scored. Huey and Aiden Mitchell also had hits in the game.
Berlett suffered the loss in the opener going 1 2/3 giving up two runs neither earned on no hits. Hellige started and went 5 1/3 surrendering four hits and two runs, one earned on seven strikeouts and three walks.
The Hounds managed just three hits, one each from Brody Cashman, Hellige, and Schelich. Schelich and Cornelis had Fort Madison’s two runs.
Fort Madison is now 4-2 on the year and 1-2 in conference play. They play host to Muscatine in a double header tonight at FMHS starting at 5:30 p.m.