Redman outduels Cottrell; Ramblers take two

A dramatic pitcher's duel between Key West starter Andrew Redman and former Rambler Ben Cottrell resulted in a thrilling 4-1, nine-inning victory for Key West (7-8) on Sunday night. The Ramblers rallied from a 1-0 deficit and eventually broke loose in the ninth off of Cottrell to bounce Rickardsville from the Worthington Tournament. Key West also defeated Zwingle 4-2 in a Prairie League game earlier in the day.

But Sunday's night cap is what brought life back to a Rambler team that struggled to get out of the first round in recent tournaments. Dan Spain's looping RBI single to right field just in front of a diving Mike Leibfried plated Matt Knabel to break the 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth. Red-hot Cory Davidson then smoked a two-run double into the left-center gap to bring in two more runs and put an exclamation point on a much-needed victory.

For a while, Cottrell looked like he may make Rickardsville's first-inning run stand up. The right-hander, who threw nearly 200 innings over four seasons as a Rambler, did not even allow a Key West runner to advance past first base until the sixth inning.

That's when Tanner Denlinger singled up the middle to lead off the frame. Spain followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Denlinger up to second. Davidson's grounder to first went underneath the glove of the Rickardsville first baseman, putting runners on the corners with one out. Chris Briggs then hit a medium-deep fly ball to center that allowed Denlinger to score just ahead of a strong throw to the plate.

Redman's typical dominance on the mound helped the Ramblers force extra innings. The Clarke University product balked in Rickardsville's only run when he illegally feinted a throw to third base. The rest of the way Redman befuddled the opposition. He gave up just four hits and a walk while striking out five over eight innings. He is now 11-1 in his last 12 starts.

Spain then relieved Redman in the ninth. With the help of an outstanding play in the hole at short by Redman, Spain fired a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

While Briggs did not record a hit on Sunday, his work with the glove at first saved several potential errors. Briggs used outstanding footwork to pick throws out of the dirt on at least four occasions.

Cottrell pitched the entire game for Rickardsville and took the loss. Ironically, it was Cottrell who grounded out to end the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Key West will return to action in the Worthington Tournament on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. when it takes on Cascade, which defeated Balltown earlier on Sunday evening.

Key West 4, Zwingle 2

A short rain shower delayed the start of Sunday's Prairie League matinee a few minutes, but it didn't stop Key West from getting off to a fast start. The Ramblers scored two in the first, one in the second and one in the third.

Matt Lozano emerged as the biggest story of Sunday's first game. He struck out 12 in a seven-inning complete game. He surrendered only four hits and a walk and did not give up a single earned run. He ended the game with five straight punch outs.

Davidson continued his fine work in the three spot in the lineup. He doubled in the first run of the game and also drew a bases loaded walk in the second to force home a run. The Ramblers led 4-0 after three innings.

Sloppy Key West defense in the sixth inning made for some tense moments. Three errors helped load the bases with one out and Zwingle down just 4-2. But Lozano would not be denied the win as he began his strikeout binge to preserve the two-run lead.

Davidson went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, a run and two walks. Knabel registered a 2-for-4 effort with a pair of infield singles.

The Ramblers are now 3-2 in Prairie League games. Lozano moved to 2-1. He sports a 1.88 ERA in a team high 28.2 innings this season.