Beloit Junior Bandits can't come back in 7-6 loss to Palmyra

PALMYRA, Wis. — The Beloit Junior Legion Bandits have made it its signature this summer to pile on the runs late in the and give the opposition a scare.

Now the Bandits just need to find more consistency in the early innings.

Beloit came back from a 6-2 deficit with a four-run sixth inning before Palmyra knocked in the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the frame to beat the Bandits 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Palmyra built up a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Evin Splan drew a leadoff walk in the top of the third stole second and third before scoring on a wild pitch to put Beloit on the board. But, Palmyra made it 5-1 in the bottom of the third.

Austin Driver’s RBI single to center scored Willmy Henriquez, who had walked, in the fourth but Palmyra upped it back up to a four-run lead in the fifth.

Beloit’s rally began in the sixth when Tayvon Cates walked, advanced to second on an error and scored on Henriquez’s double into center. Austyn Kjendlie and Driver both walked as Henriquez scored on a wild pitch.

Kjendlie and Driver both eventually came around to score on a wild pitches to tie it at six.

But three-straight singles by the Panthers in the sixth put Palmyra back in front. Kayden Tyler and Henriquez both drew walks and Hayden Wells was hit by a pitch to load the bases in the seventh, but a ground out ended the rally try.

Kjendlie had two hits for the Bandits, who were outhit 11-4. Beloit drew 10 walks, three apiece by Henriquez and Tyler.

Cates started and threw four innings while allowing five earned runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out four. Tyler finished the last two innings from the mound and allowed two earned runs on four hits with a walk and strikeout.