Season ends in Prairie League semifinal

With a spot in the Prairie League championship game on the line, Key West could not come up with the big hit in a 4-2, nine-inning loss to Bernard Sunday afternoon in Bellevue.

The Ramblers had a prime opportunity to win it in the bottom of the eighth when Dan Spain led off with a double to right center. Tim Carty's ground out to short moved Spain to third with only one out. But Bernard starting pitcher Max Hoffman wiggled out of the jam by striking out Justin Kuhle and getting Chris Briggs to hit a slow roller back to the mound.

Key West got its runs in the third inning. One out singles by Jeff Bushman and Tyler Sincock put runners at first and second. After a wild pitch moved both runners up a base, Spain grounded a base hit into right field to score both runners and put Key West ahead 2-1.

Hoffman tied the score in the top of the sixth with an RBI bloop single to center. Bernard put up the final tallies of the ballgame in the ninth, keyed by four straight singles. The first two Key West hitters in the ninth reached--Jared Munson doubled and Roberto Rivera reached on an error--but Cory Davidson grounded into a double play and Sincock chopped out to second to end the game.

Davidson went 6.1 innings on the mound for Key West, getting a no decision. He allowed two runs (both unearned), four hits and three walks to go along with five strikeouts. Spain pitched the last 2.2 innings, giving up two earned runs and took the loss.

Bernard advanced to play Farley in the championship of the Prairie League. For Key West, the 2010 season is now over. The Ramblers finished with an overall record of 30-19. They posted league records of 13-3 in the Prairie League and 11-5 in the EIHL, good enough to make the playoffs in each league for the fourth straight season.