Four-run seventh keys dramatic holiday victory

Down to their final out in the top of the seventh with a runner at second base and trailing 7-4, a third straight loss for the Ramblers appeared inevitable. But an improbable four-run rally, highlighted by Matt Knabel's two-run rocket shot, game-tying single, carried Key West (18-5) to an 8-7 road victory over Balltown in Sunday afternoon's Prairie League duel.

Cam Stewart got the seventh inning started with a line-drive base hit to right field. Jared Munson and Dan Spain were promptly retired with Stewart standing at second base with two outs. Three consecutive walks surrendered by Balltown starting pitcher Jordan Bahls to Tim Carty, Chris Briggs and Cory Davidson forced home a run, making it a 7-5 ballgame. Knabel then followed with a single to left field to chase home Carty and Briggs. Back-to-back walks by Roberto Rivero and Kenny Capesius pushed across the go-ahead tally.

The near-miraculous two-out rally made a winner of Key West starter Curt Dixon (3-0), who battled through seven complete innings. Dixon scattered 12 hits, which included several ground balls through the infield, and gave up four earned runs to go with six strikeouts. Dixon recorded the final out of the game with runners at second and third when Davidson charged in to make a basket catch of Brady Breitbach's blooper to right field.

The Ramblers got out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings. Carty's RBI double and Briggs' sacrifice fly, both in the first, made it 2-0. Stewart singled in Rivero in the second to grow the lead to 3-0 before Balltown scored seven unanswered runs to go up 7-3 after five innings. Brigg's RBI single in the sixth chopped the deficit to 7-4 to set up the game-winning outburst in the final inning.

Stewart finished 3-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a stolen base. Carty stayed red-hot with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. Knabel also recorded two hits for Key West. Kyle Behnke led Balltown with three singles of his own.

Up next for the Ramblers is Wednesday's 7 p.m. EIHL battle at Dyersville.