It took more than three hours and 14 grueling innings, but the Rochester Rockets are headed to the Regional Championship after a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory over the New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly Pretzels.
From the very first inning, it was clear this would be a battle. New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly struck first in the top of the opening frame when Reid Hepperly delivered an RBI single to give the Pretzels an early 1-0 lead.
Rochester answered immediately in the bottom half. Ajay Runkel came around to score on a Sean Plessa groundout, evening the game at 1-1 after one inning.
The Pretzels regained the lead in the second inning after Chase Dougherty drove in Carson Dodd on a single to make it 2-1. That advantage held until the fourth when Rochester found another response. Alex Eldridge ripped a triple to center field, allowing Zane Zulauf to score and tie the game at 2-2.
From there, the game became an all-out war on the mound.
Both pitching staffs traded shutdown innings as every at-bat carried more pressure. Rochester’s staff combined for 24 strikeouts while the Pretzels struck out 23 Rockets hitters of their own. Time after time, both teams escaped jams and kept the game deadlocked deep into extra innings.
Sean Plessa battled through six innings for Rochester before Aiden Plessa, Frank Stefano III, and Ajay Runkel combined to keep the Pretzels off the board the rest of the way. Runkel earned the win after tossing the final two innings.
New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly received a tremendous effort from Reid Hepperly and Nolan Robinson, who combined for 19 strikeouts and repeatedly worked out of trouble to keep Rochester from breaking through.
Finally, in the bottom of the 14th inning, Rochester delivered the moment they had been waiting for.
Courtesy runners Khorbin Gregory and Noah Beagle set the table before Sean Plessa lined a walk-off single to center field. Noah Beagle raced home with the winning run as Rochester stormed out of the dugout to celebrate the exhausting 3-2 victory and a trip to the Regional Championship.
Top Performers
Rochester Rockets
- Sean Plessa: Walk-off RBI single, 2 RBI, 6 innings pitched, 9 strikeouts
- Alex Eldridge: Triple, RBI
- Sam Ferris: 2 hits, 3 walks
- Ajay Runkel: Winning pitcher, 2 innings, 4 strikeouts
New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly Pretzels
- Chase Dougherty: 2 hits, RBI
- Andy Holloway: 2 hits
- Reid Hepperly: RBI hit, 7 innings pitched, 9 strikeouts
- Nolan Robinson: 5 innings pitched, 10 strikeouts
Rochester now advances to the Regional Championship as the Rockets continue their postseason run after one of the longest and toughest games of the season.
#28 Sean Plessa walks it off for Rochester
#2 Reece Gade with the diving catch to save the Rockets Season.
#2 Reece Gade with the smooth simple catch in center for Rochester.
#4 Sam Ferris with the sweet out behind the plate for Rochester.
#33 Frank Stefano III with a deep double for Rochester.
#28 Sean Plessa was dealing on the mound as he recorded 9Ks tonight for Rochester.
#23 Aiden Plessa was dominant on the mound tonight as he recorded 8Ks for Rochester.
#22 Khorbin Gregory shows off the wheels as he steals second for Rochester.
#7 Alex Eldridge with the RBI TRIPLE for Rochester.
#6 Gibson Warren with the smooth one hop and out for Rochester.
#4 Sam Ferris with the RBI double for Rochester.
#2 Caden Cowell with the pick off at second for New Berlin Number 1.
#2 Caden Cowell with the pick off at second for New Berlin.
#10 Reid Hepperly with the RBI single for New Berlin.
#10 Reid Hepperly catches the batter looking for the New Berlin strikeout.