By Craig Marx, Editor

A late seventh inning rally by the Antigo Red Robins baseball team was not enough to overcome early mistakes and a 5-0 lead that the Mosinee Indians took into the bottom of the final frame of the season, causing the Robins’ very successful season to end with a 5-1 home playoff loss on Wednesday night.

“As I stated after yesterday’s game we were going to have to capitalize on their mistakes and minimize ours in order to beat them,” Coach Scott Farmer said. “We did not do that and [Ben] Vandehay threw a very good game and that is what caused us to end our season short of our goal.”

In the bottom of the seventh, down 5-0, Matt Arndt was able to drive in Wade Famer with an RBI single to avoid the shutout but was later thrown out in a 6-4 play at second. The rally ended early and started all too late as the Indians pressured the Robins early and took advantage of three Antigo errors on the night.

Zach Bednar drove in Jace Baumann on an RBI single in the top of the first. Moving to the fourth inning, a solo shot from the Indians’ Brandon Bernarde gave Mosinee a 2-0 lead that it held onto until the top of the seventh.

The top of the final frame proved troublesome for Antigo, where Mosinee scored three runs to take a five-run lead. The Robins committed two errors in the inning that lead to two runners reaching base – both of whom subsequently scored.

The defensive play is a reflection starting pitcher Brady Tatro’s stat line – 6 1/3 innings pitched, stirking out five Mosinee batters and allowing seven hits and five runs, where only one of which was earned.

Antigo had a tremendous season regardless of playoff results. From a 22-3 record to a GNC title once again, the Robins were an offensive juggernaut, churning 249 runs scored while giving up 92. To put that into perspective, the second place finisher in the GNC, Rhinelander, amassed 158 runs offensively over the course of the season.

“The coaching staff was not expecting to make these statements today but we want to thank all the players for their dedication and hard work this year. They should be very proud of what they accomplished this year as well we had a great season and no one can take that away from them. We would like to also thank the seniors for their leadership​ and the way they stepped up this year as well.  We wish them good luck in their future endeavors. We are looking forward to the future w/the underclassmen we believe there is more to come next year,” Coach Farmer said.

“I would also like to personally thank all the coaches but especially Coach Josh Krueger who is leaving us unexpectedly after this year. He has been a great addition to the staff and works great w/the kids and getting them ready to make the jump to the varsity level. He will be truly missed and we will have a difficult time trying to replace him,” Farmer said in closing.