Millers edge Millstadt to win Midsummer Classic
- July 5, 2015
Jake Friedrich of the MIllers delivers the game-winning hit against Millstadt in the Millers’ 9-8 win in the 44th annual Midsummer Classic at Valmeyer on Sunday. (Greg Stanek photo)
The Waterloo Millers bounced back from two deficits and pitcher Austin Nunnery came on in relief to shut down the Millstadt VFW and win the 44th annual Midsummer Classic championship game Sunday at Borsch Park in Valmeyer.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the second inning, the Millers put up five runs in their half of the inning to take the lead. But Millstadt came roaring back, plating three runs in both the third and fourth innings to open up an 8-5 lead.
Nunnery came on in the fifth and held Millstadt’s offense in check. The Millers rallied to tie the game in the sixth and then tournament MVP Jake Friederich delivered the knock-out blow with a home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth for a 9-8 lead.
Nunnery finished out the game in the ninth to pick up the win and the championship for the Millers.
“Thank God we won. Millstadt’s a good team and they showed it. This game could have gone either way,” Friederich said after the game. “I’m glad I hit it when I did. You have to credit Austin… we were battling pitching all day long and he came in and shut the door and gave us a chance to win. That’s all you can ask for.”
Friederich went 6-for-15 with two home runs and six RBIs over the weekend. The Millers blasted Fairview Heights, 13-2, on Friday. That was followed by an 8-1 win Saturday over the host team Valmeyer Lakers with strong pitching from Jeremy Rettig.
For a full recap of this weekend’s tourney with photos, pick up the July 8 print edition of the Republic-Times newspaper.
