RSM tallies eight-inning win over Gehlen

(Sentinel photo by Jesse Geleynse) RSM pitcher Andrew Portz releases a pitch during the Hawks' 10-8, eight-inning win over Gehlen Wednesday in Le Mars. [Click to enlarge]

Remsen St. Mary's defeated Gehlen Catholic 10-8 Wednesday night as the Jays failed to capitalize on their opportunities.

Gehlen had the bases loaded in the sixth inning and could not get a run home. But perhaps Gehlen's biggest missed opportunity was when a runner failed to touch home plate in the second inning on a bases-loaded walk.

"We had opportunities - we just can't come through with that big two-out hit," Gehlen head coach Marty Kurth said. "We have heart and character - we just can't find that (hit) to get over the hump."

Gehlen was down throughout the whole game, but would not go away with out a fight. The Jays rallied for three runs in the seventh to knot the game at 7-7 and force extra innings, only to see RSM score three times in the eighth to take a 10-7 lead.

Once again Gehlen would not go away without a fight as it tried to rally once again, but came up short as it only scored one run in the bottom of the eighth.

"We were down and out a couple times this game and we fought back and had chances to win," Kurth said.

Gehlen pitchers Devin Groenhagen and Jordan Sitzmann combined to give up 10 runs on nine hits, eight walks and stranded 11 baserunners.

RSM starting pitcher Andrew Portz went all eight innings, allowing eight runs on seven hits, while walking four and striking out three.

"Andrew did a great job," RSM head coach Jim Klein said. "He got tough in the seventh inning."

RSM took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on RBI singles by Michael Wesselmann and Beau Pick. Gehlen answered back with a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning on a Groenhagen double.

RSM added to its lead in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Tanner Kockler and RBI singles by Portz and Billy Steichen. Once again Gehlen answered in the bottom half of the fourth as Zach Wurth reached on an error that plated two.

RSM tacked on single runs in the fifth and sixth as Matt Arens reached on an error which brought a run in and Kockler hit a solo home run. Gehlen answered with a run of their own in the sixth on a Shaun Ryan double, bringing Gehlen within three runs at 7-4.

Gehlen rallied in the seventh to score three runs on a hit by Mitch Christoffel, a ground-out by Ryan and a error on which Wurth reached base that brought a run in to force extra innings.

In the eighth, RSM scored three runs to break the tie on a hit by Steichen, a sacrifice fly by Pick and Cody Colling reaching on an error to bring a run in. Gehlen tried to mount another rally to tie the score once again only to be stopped short.

"Offensively we hit the ball real well," said Klein. "At first we didn't because of the slower pitching but we learned you just got to be more patient (and) more disciplined at the plate."

RSM (5-11, 5-8) looks to go on a little bit of a run before the district tournament as faces Unity Christin in a doubleheader on Friday.

Gehlen (4-13, 2-11) travels to Paullina to take on South O' Brien on Friday.