Longhorns strand seven in game one loss to Edgewood

MONTGOMERY — Marengo Academy(23-9-2) was not without its chances Tuesday morning but stranded eight runners over six innings in a 3-2 loss to Edgewood in game one of the AISA Class A baseball championship.

The Longhorns had runners on first and second with only one out in the top of the seventh when Edgewood pitcher Taylor Hawthorne through to second base and started a sequence that ended in a pickoff of the lead runner.

Marengo then saw its cleanup hitter strike out with Alston Dinning standing on second to end the game.

Marengo took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Weldon Aydelott stroked a two-out opposite field single to right to plate Hayden Huckabee and Dinning.

Edgewood responded in the home half of the fourth. Hawthorne scored on an error before Jolan Stieringer singled in Heath Young and W.B. Hill.

The Longhorns best chance to answer came when Huckabee stroked a leadoff triple in the fifth but moved no further as MA failed to get a ball out of the infield for the remainder of the frame.

Marengo also had a pair of runners with no outs in the sixth but again failed to cash in on the opportunity.

Chase Laney picked up the win for the Wildcats, striking out three over five innings while giving up four hits and two walks and allowing two runs.

Hawthorne picked up the save with two strikeouts and no hits over two innings.

Friday took the loss in the complete game effort, going six innings and striking out four while surrendering three walks, five hits and two earned runs.

The Longhorns are set to begin game two of the series at noon Tuesday. Marengo is pursuing its first baseball state title since 2008. Edgewood is seeking its sixth straight.