Ramblers outlast Dubuque in 12-inning affair

The clash between Eastern Iowa semi-pro titans did not disappoint as Tuesday's rivalry game between Key West and Dubuque was decided by a single run once again. The Ramblers came away victorious, 4-3, in a 12-inning contest at A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta.

After splitting a pair of one-run games with Dubuque earlier this season, the Ramblers (17-3) expected another close battle on Tuesday. A three-run seventh-inning by Key West erased a 3-0 deficit and catapulted the game into extra innings, giving second baseman Cam Stewart the chance to play the part of hero.

Stewart's line drive base-hit up the middle off the glove of a diving Chris Johnson scored Cory Davidson from second in the bottom of the 12th and the Ramblers walked off with an EIHL victory. Davidson started the bottom of the 12th with a single and stole second with no outs. After a Jared Munson strikeout and a Matt Knabel groundout, Stewart came through with the game-winner.

Davidson's tally made a winner out of relief pitcher Dan Spain, who threw the final five innings and did not allow a run. Curt Dixon started for Key West. He tossed seven innings, striking out a season-high nine while allowing seven hits, two walks and three runs (one earned). Spain gave up just two hits and struck out five.

Held scoreless by Dubuque starting pitcher Chris Johnson through six innings, the Ramblers came up big in the seventh. Stewart got things started with a one-out single, followed by a Tyler Sincock walk. Spain's RBI single finally got Key West on the board before Tim Carty's clutch two-run double plated Sincock and Spain to tie the score.

Key West nearly won the game in the bottom of the ninth when Chris Briggs' double sent Spain, who began the play at first, headed toward the plate. But the relay to the plate cut Spain down and sent the game to extras.

The Ramblers put a runner on third base in both the 10th and 11th innings, but failed to break through, just as Dubuque had in the top of the 11th when it loaded the bases with two outs. Finally the classic match up came to an end with Stewart's single in the 12th.

Carty (2-for-4), Briggs (2-for-5), Davidson (2-for-5), Knabel (2-for-6) and Stewart (2-for-6) all belted two or more hits in Tuesday's win.

The Ramblers resume play at the Worthington Tournament Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus Bellevue. In the only meeting this season between the two teams, Key West defeated Bellevue on June 14 by a 6-1 score in an eight-inning game at the Farley Tournament.