Madison Eliminates Beloit from Great Lakes Regional
The Madison Impact got the better of Beloit Legion in a pitchers’ duel to eliminate their foes from the Great Lakes Regional in a 1-0 win on Friday.
Madison defeated Beloit last week to win the Wisconsin Class AAA state championship, and did the same to end Beloit’s season this week.
Madison’s Jordon Gomez and Beloit’s Cade Johnson were both dominant on the mound. Neither team managed to get five hits, and the game was scoreless until the sixth inning.
In the sixth, Madison’s Kigen Mares and Garrett McGraw both drew walks to put two runners on base. Andrew Pliner managed to find the key hit that had eluded both teams to that point and gave his team a 1-0 lead.
Gomez made sure that lead would last for the Impact. Beloit got the go-ahead run on base in the eighth inning, but Sam Behm lined out to end the threat.
Beloit looked certain to tie the game in the ninth inning when Austin Grover singled with a runner on second base and two outs. However, Pliner again played the hero for Madison. The outfielder fielded the ball and came up firing. His throw cut down Beloit’s Kevin Raisbeck at the plate to end the game.
Gomez pitched all nine innings in his shutout effort. He allowed just four hits and struck out three. Johnson took the tough luck loss for Beloit. He pitched eight innings and also allowed four hits and just one run.
Madison (35-4) advances to face Indiana state champion Rockport on Saturday. They must win three games this weekend without losing to advance to the American Legion World Series.
Beloit finished the season with a 30-9 record and as Wisconsin Class AAA state runner-up.
