Ramblers fall from Cascade Tourney; defeat New Vienna

The Ramblers' offensive struggles in tournament play continued on Friday night as Bellevue edged Key West, 2-1, in the first round of the Cascade Tournament. Rambler hurler Andrew Redman fell for the second-straight time despite firing another solid six innings.

Bellevue got its only runs in the bottom of the third, answering Key West's (12-11) lone run in the top half of the frame. Bellevue ignited with three-consecutive hits from its Nos. 2 through 4 spots in the lineup to plate the pair of runs. Redman allowed just five hits, but four of them came in the second inning.

The Ramblers briefly held the lead when Dan Spain's RBI ground out made it 1-0 in the third. Spain had come to the plate with runners on second and third and one out following a single by Jose Stelluti and a double by Tanner Denlinger. Denlinger ended up stranded on third base after Bellevue's Pete Bonifas got Tim Carty to chop out to third to close the inning.

Redman (4-2, 2.43 ERA) finished with three strikeouts while limiting Bellevue to five hits and one walk.

Bonifas earned the victory, holding Key West to only four hits.

Key West 9, New Vienna 2

The Ramblers returned to action for a Sunday matinee and despite a sluggish start, posted a 9-2 Prairie League victory. With the win, Key West ran its Prairie League mark to 6-2 as it looks to defend its 2012 league title.

New Vienna scored a run apiece in the first and third innings to jump out to a 2-0 advantage after three innings. The Ramblers did not score until the fourth and did not grab the lead until pulling in front, 3-2, in the fifth.

Key West finally exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away. The inning featured seven Rambler hits, punctuated by Deon Ploessl's home run that made it 8-2 with two outs in the game's final inning.

Even with the slow offensive start, Key West managed to pound out 18 hits as six Ramblers collected two or more hits. Jason Hinrichsen led the way with a 4-for-5 effort out of the leadoff spot. Other Ramblers with two or more hits included: Matt Bedell (3-for-4), Matt Knabel (3-for-5), Chris Briggs (2-for-4), Ploessl (2-for-4) and Justin Kuhle (2-for-5).

On the mound, Jose Stelluti got his first career start with the Ramblers and did not allow a single earned run in his seven-inning complete game. He struck out 10 and allowed only three hits and three walks.

UP NEXT: Key West will shift to EIHL action on Tuesday night when it hosts Farley at 7 p.m. at A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta.