Ruden, defense pave way for 2-1 win over Dubuque

Anthony Ruden delivered big pitches with men on base, Ben Oglesby gunned down a late run at the plate and the Ramblers eked out a 2-1 EIHL win over Dubuque on Tuesday night in Peosta. The victory was the fifth in a row and 16th in the last 18 games for Key West (23-6), which is now 8-1 in EIHL action.

Working with a 2-0 lead, Ruden somehow navigated the sixth inning without allowing a single run despite the first three hitters all reaching base. The key play of the game came when Oglesby, playing center field, fielded a single off the bat of Aaron Wulfekuhle and nailed a runner at the plate for the first out. Ruden then got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.

More drama came in the seventh when Austin Bradley relieved Ruden. Andy Danna's sacrifice fly for the second out put the Blues on the board. Key West then sealed the win when catcher Brett LaMere threw out Aaron Saeugling, who attempted to steal second.

The Ramblers got their runs on a Jake Schaeffer RBI single in the bottom of the second and a key two-out RBI base hit by Chris Briggs in the bottom of the third. Briggs' hit scored Andrew Redman, who had doubled to deep left to begin a two-out spurt.

Ruden (4-2) scattered five hits, three walks and two hit batters over his six innings of scoreless work. Bradley then came on to earn his second save of the season.

Wulfekuhle went 2-for-3 for Dubuque and was the only player on either side with multiple hits on the night. Alex Steines took the loss on the mound for the Blues.

The Ramblers have now won each of the last four meetings with Dubuque, including two tournament matchups.

Up Next: Key West will play at Farley at 7 p.m. on Wednesday (July 16) in a Prairie League contest.