The Chillicothe Junior High Mustangs baseball team ended its season with a wild, offensive slugfest.

After dispatching Peoria Heights and Peoria Christian to win the Class 2A Regional 6 Bracket, the Mustangs’ season came to an end as they lost to Brimfield 12-9 Saturday.

The game started out with Brimfield’s offense setting the tone for what would be an explosive day for them at the plate.

In the top of the first, one runner scored on a double by Brimfield catcher Brady Westart, one scored on a single by first baseman Ryan Rosecrans, and one scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded.

The Mustangs would reclaim two of the runs in the bottom of the first off an RBI double by pitcher
Caleb Magee and an RBI single by first baseman Konnor Smithson.

Brimfield added another run in the top of the second as Westart scored from third off of a wild pitch.

The Mustangs, in the bottom of the second, had their best offensive inning, scoring five runs.

Right fielder Zac Kluge led off the inning with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a single by catcher Kyle Baker.

Third baseman Wade Pollack then hit a two-run RBI triple to tie the game at four.

The Mustangs then took the lead off an RBI single by second baseman Austin Johnson, an RBI double by Magee and one more run off an error.

Magee then worked a 1-2-3 inning in which he either recorded or assisted each out.

The Mustangs also went scoreless in their half of the third.

Brimfield had a breakout inning in the top of the fourth and took the lead for good.

The inning started off with Brimfield pitcher Ryan Herridge singling and stealing second before coming around to score off an RBI single by shortstop Matt Dwyer.

After a walk by Westart, Dwyer came around to score off an RBI single by left fielder Cole Stoddard.

Rosecrans added another run as he scored Westart on an RBI single.

Third baseman Lance Wyatt got in on the action with an RBI single of his own.

Two more runs were added off a wild pitch and an RBI sacrifice bunt to give Brimfield the lead, 10-7.

The Mustangs rallied in the bottom of the fourth, adding two runs off a balk and an error.

Brimfield added another run in the top of the fifth off an RBI single by Stoddard before CJH went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.

Neither team would score in the sixth inning, as both pitchers worked quickly and effectively.
In the top of the seventh, with Johnson coming in to pitch for Magee in relief, Brimfield added
one run off an RBI groundout by Dwyer.

The Mustangs’ bottom of the seventh saw them go 1-2-3 to end the game and their season with a 12-9 loss to Brimfield.

“There was a lot of action in this game,” Mustang coach Marty Ogburn said after the game.

“I thought that whoever batted last might win the game.  They hit the ball well and they deserved to win. We gave it our best shot. I’m proud of this team. We had a good season, and I was pleased with it. We wish Brimfield luck at state.”