By Mike Ramczyk
BURLINGTON – A few inches separated a crushing Burlington defeat from a thrilling, walk-off victory Tuesday night.
Lucky for sophomore Grant Tully, the latter came to fruition, and the Demons remained undefeated (2-0) on the season.
With Burlington down, 8-7, two outs in the bottom of the seventh and a 2-2 count, Tully popped up a lazy fly ball toward the Westosha Central dugout. Three Falcons converged, missing the final out by inches.
On the next pitch, Tully stroked a sharp ground ball between the first and second basemen, which plated brother Cal Tully first then Dale Damon with the game-winner, and Burlington escaped with a 9-8 victory.
The Demons led, 7-5, heading into the seventh but Central’s three-run outburst put the Falcons on top.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jacob Lindemann’s fly out moved Cal Tully to third base with two outs before Damon walked and stole second on a play where he caught the Central battery sleeping.
The heady base-running proved critical as Damon hustled around third on the game-winning hit and slid safely without a throw.
Zach Campbell went 4-for-4 with two runs scored to lead Burlington.
Bryan Sturdevant added two hits and three RBIs. Damon finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Aaron Mutter and both Tullys added a hit apiece.
Lindemann picked up his second victory on the mound, as he allowed an earned run in the final 2-1/3 innings.
On the strength of a one-hitter by Lindemann and Derek Koenen, Burlington opened the season with a 1-0 victory over Wilmot April 5.
Burlington travels to Westosha Central (1-1) to complete the season series Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
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Mike, great Burlington win, no doubt, but please get your facts straight before you print them…. Damon was on first base during Lindemann’s at bat and remained there while he flyed out moving Cal Tully to third… his attempted delay steal took place the following at bat in which he was sent back to first base because the umpire had not yet put the ball back in play… he moved to second base eventually when Derek Koenen was hit by a pitch… thus setting the stage for Grant Tully’s bases loaded at bat.