In the wink of an eye, everything changed.
After the Farming Flames came up shy time after time with runners on base, Adam Winkels ripped a one-out, two-run double to the gap to give Farming a 2-1 walk-off win over the Cologne Hollanders.
The rally saved New Munich SilverStreaks draftee Ty Reller from taking a loss after a performance of a lifetime. The 30-year-old lefty struck out 15 and walked none in a complete game four-hitter.
“It took a little bit to get loose,” Reller said. “I threw last week, so it took a little to find that groove. Once it got loose, it was game on for me.”
Reller was undeterred at the sight of his team failing to convert on four separate occasions of runners on first and third base. Cologne starting pitcher, right-hander David Solfelt, pulled Houdini acts throughout the night en route to leaving 13 Flames on base.
Solfelt’s line finished at 8 1/3 innings with nine hits, two earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts on 105 pitches (74 strikes).
The Farming defense was sound behind Reller all night in an error-free game.
“The defense behind me has been absolutely stellar,” Reller said. “Last weekend, we only had one tough error that could have went either way. Other than that, solid defense behind you, and it gives you a lot of confidence as a pitcher playing behind a solid defense.”
Cologne went hitless from early in the second inning until the top of the seventh. Joey Lilya began with an infield single. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third with no one covering the base. Ben Schefers got Lilya in on a sacrifice fly.
Farming got on base to start the bottom of the eighth on the second error of the night for Cologne but couldn’t convert.
In the top of the ninth, Farming left fielder Cameron Miller robbed Lilya of extra bases. Carter Clemensen doubled the next at-bat with two outs but was stranded.
Will Mergen led off the ninth for the Flames with an infield single on a tough roller to the shortstop. He stole second base on a close throw down to second.
Cologne opted to intentionally walk No. 3 hitter Ethan Navratil, who finished the night 1-for-3. Winkels provided the heroics on the next at-bat, finding the gap to score Mergen and Navratil, with the latter scoring well ahead of an errant throw home.
“All it takes is one clutch hit,” Reller said, “and he came through when we needed him most.”
Reller said he’s been to the state tournament every year since 2016. This year marks the Melrose High School grad’s first time starting.
Did he feel any nerves?
“No, not at all,” Reller said. “I love these big pressure moments.”
Mergen and Winkels led Farming with two hits each.
Farming’s record moves to 13-9. The Flames have caught fire since going 5-8 in the Stearns County League and advancing as the second seed out of Region 8. Cologne, the fourth seed out of Region 7, finishes at 14-11.
Farming advances to play 11 a.m. Aug. 30 in Brownton vs. the winner of the Hanska Lakers vs. Pierz Brewers. Hanska and Pierz meet 1:30 p.m. Aug. 23 in Brownton.
