The one run loss continues the tough-luck streak for the Little Giants. Wabash lost 8-7 on Tuesday at Wittenberg University, and have lost nine one-run games this season.
It seemed that Victory Field would be a kind host to the Little Giants at first. Wabash jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Matt Carlson (Crawfordsville, IN/Crawfordsville) scored on a Brandon Candiano (Dyer, IN/Andrean) sacrifice fly. Jake Martin (Rushville, IN/Rushville) scored the second run of the inning on a Jake Knott (Lafayette, IN/Jefferson) sacrifice fly.
Wabash held the lead through five innings, allowing Franklin only one run in the bottom of the fourth. The Little Giants tacked another run on the scoreboard in the sixth inning when Candiano opened the inning with a double to left center, then scored on an error by Franklin. But the Grizzlies scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score at 3-3.
The Little Giants scrapped for another run in the top of the ninth inning when Josh Bronaugh (Crawfordsville, IN/North Montgomery) drew a one-out walk, advanced to third on a Carlson single, and scored on a fielder's choice by Martin.
But the final heroics belonged to the Grizzlies. Franklin's Tony Sonsini was hit by a pitch to put the tying run on first. Then David Bedwell lifted a pitch over the right field wall to end the game with a walk-off home run.
"The guys did everything they could to win today," said head coach Tom Flynn. "I'm very proud of their effort. We played hard, we took advantage of opportunities, and we found ways to score runs. We just didn't get the win."
Martin threw 6-1/3 innings for Wabash, striking out five while giving up three runs. Ben Prickel (Lafayette, IN/Harrison) tossed 1-2/3 innings, giving up only one hit and striking out one of the six batters he faced. Scott Adams (Avon, IN/Avon) took the loss for Wabash.
While the final results were not what the Little Giants hoped for in their first game at Victory Field, the experience was everything a player could desire.
"It was great," said senior outfielder Phil McCaulay (Ft. Wayne, IN/Ft. Wayne Southside). "It was easy to pick up the ball in the field and at the plate. I hope this becomes something that can be become a yearly experience for Wabash baseball. I just appreciate everything the Indianapolis Indians did to allow us to play at Victory Field today."
The Little Giants (8-24) will play their final home series of the season this weekend when they face Earlham College at Mud Hollow Field. The teams will play two seven-inning games on Saturday before playing a single nine-inning contest on Sunday. Gametime Saturday is 1 p.m., while Sunday's first pitch will take place at noon.