HTL: Generals edge Utica 2-1, clinch spot in playoffs via tiebreaker

CAMBRIDGE — After a gut-wrenching 1-0 loss in walk-off fashion to Stoughton last week, the Generals had no margin for error in the playoff race and their schedule pitted them against the top two Southeast Section teams in consecutive games.

Fort Atkinson, 4-2 winners over Cambridge on Saturday, scored two runs via error in the sixth inning and held off host Utica 2-1 on Sunday, clinching a spot in the Southeast Section playoffs.

The Generals improved to 9-5 overall and 6-2 in division games, winning a tiebreaker over Jefferson, which is also 9-5 but 5-3 in division games, for a wildcard bid.

Fort got one-out singles from Branden Zastrow and Jake Hansen in the sixth against starter Brock Wanninger. Conner Kienbaum came up next and hit a ground ball to shortstop, where an error allowed both runners to come around and break the scoreless tie.

Tyler Soule’s lead off double in the Utica eighth chased Fort starter Austin Paul.

Josh Crandall entered and punched out Ben Hildebrandt before getting Max Gartzke to fly out. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Crandall got Ryan Ellingson to pop out in foul territory to end the threat.

Utica was quickly in business again in the ninth after back to back no-out singles from Ethan Yahn and Saxton Shore. Rowan Shore’s fielder’s choice cut down Saxton Shore, leaving men on the corners with one away.

Pinch runner Carson Knapp then swiped second base, with Yahn coming around on catcher Jake Hansen’s error to make it a 2-1 game. With Knapp at third base, Crandall got Soule to pop out and Hildebrandt to fly out to end it.

Paul earned the win for Fort, pitching seven shutout innings of five-hit ball with eight strikeouts and one walk. Crandall recorded the save, allowing an unearned run on two hits in two frames.

Three Generals — Zastrow, Hansen and Cam Haagensen — had two hits apiece.

Wanninger took the loss for Utica (11-3), allowing two unearned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.

Fort will play a road game in the HTL playoffs next Sunday against either Cambridge or Utica. Pairings and game times have not yet been announced.

FORT ATKINSON 2, UTICA 1

Fort 000 002 000 — 2 9 2

Utica 000 000 001 — 1 7 1

WP: Paul

LP: Wanninger

Fort Atkinson (ab-r-h-rbi) — Heederik 3-0-1-0, Crandall 4-0-0-0, Zastrow 5-1-2-0, Hansen 5-1-2-0, Kienbaum 4-0-1-2, Wolter 3-0-0-0, Rueth 3-0-0-0, Kucken 3-0-1-0, Haagensen 4-0-2-0. Totals 34-2-9-2.

Utica (ab-r-h-rbi) — Soule 5-0-2-0, Hildebrandt 5-0-0-0, Gartzke 4-0-1-0, Kalinowski 3-0-0-0, Karlen 3-0-2-0, Ellingson 4-0-0-0, Yahn 3-1-1-0, Sanders 2-0-0-0, S. Shore 1-0-1-0, Knapp 3-0-0-0, R. Shore 1-0-0-0. Totals 34-1-7-0.

2B — Kucken (FA)

Pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) — FA: Paul 7-5-0-0-1-8, Crandall SV; 2-2-1-0-2-1; U: Wanninger 7.1-8-2-0-3-5, Ernest 1.2-1-0-0-1-0.