WILLMAR -- The Raymond Rockets and the Willmar Rails played eight smart innings of baseball, then both teams crumbled defensively in a wild finish Friday night.
The Rails won the Cornbelt League game 4-3 with an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Tom DeBoer of the Rockets and Jason Scheffler of the Rails each pitched seven superb innings before both departed with the Rails in charge 2-0.
With Cody Scott pitching in relief for the Rails, Raymond rallied for two runs on three hits and two Willmar errors and a wild pitch to tie the game 3-3.
The Rails didn't need a hit in their half of the ninth. Three Raymond errors allowed Lane Kleist to ease around the bases and score on a dropped fly ball. Kleist, who scored three of his team's four runs, was tagging and might have score anyway on a close play.
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Alex Marcus and Ross Van Hauen each had two hits for Willmar. Shortstop Joey Meyer had three of the Rocket's eight hits.
Scheffler blanked Raymond on four hits through seven innings. Both starters notched eight strikeouts.
Raymond's non-league home game this evening with Madison has been canceled, at Madison's request.
The Rails entertain the Paynesville Pirates at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Taunton.
Willmar 4, Raymond 3
Raymond 000 000 003 -- 3 8 5
Willmar 101 000 011 -- 4 8 3
HITTING - Raymond: Mike Jeseritz 2-for-3, Jed Nelson 1-for-5, Tyler Steen 1-for-5, 2b; Joey Meyer 3-for-5... Willmar: Lane Kleist 2-for-4, 3 runs; Matt Sagedahl 1-for-3, Alex Marcus 2-for-4, 2 rbi; Steve Wetterling 1-for-4, Ross Van Hauen 2-for-3, Mark Krogstad 1-for-4
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PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Raymond: Tom DeBoer 7-6-2-2-1-8, Jed Nelson (L) 1Xc-2-2-1-1-2) 0... Willmar: Jason Scheffler 7-4-0-0-3-8, Cody Scott (W) 2-4-3-2-1-1 8
