The #8 seeded Luxemburg-Casco Spartans almost pulled off a major upset over the #1 Denmark Vikings on a hot Tuesday evening, but came up just short, 6-5 in a Division II WIAA Regional semi-final in Denmark.

Denmark scored first on a run scoring double by Rheiss Johnson in the bottom of the first inning.  Ryan Routhieaux started for the Spartans but had to leave the game briefly for an injury, when he knocked down a line shot up the middle and cut down a run at the plate.  Braeden Schley then relieved Routhieaux to get the final out of the inning.

The game was delayed over an hour between innings after a scary incident. The home plate umpire collapsed on the field but appeared to respond to treatment after 15 minutes before being transported to a medical center for observation and evaluation.  Another official was reached and arrived about 45 minutes later for the game to resume.

Denmark added a run in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead before the Spartans mounted a comeback.

Routhieaux, who re-entered the game in centerfield, hit a two-run double in the top of the fifth inning.  After the Spartans loaded the bases, Max Thayse hit a bases clearing triple to right field to give L-C a 5-2 lead.

That lead held until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Vikings scored three runs to tie the game at 5-5 with the help of two hit batters and a costly error.

Denmark won the game on a long single that hit the gap in left field by John Wertel in the ninth inning that scored Eli Kapinos from second base.

Braedon Schley took the hard-luck loss giving up four runs in 5.2 innings, while Jaycob Ditmer was the winning pitcher, coming in relief of Lucas Miller for the final two innings. 

Denmark (24-2) now will host #5 Wrightstown Wednesday afternoon in the regional championship.

Luxemburg-Casco ends the season at 11-15 overall and 8-8 in the NEC.

 

(photo courtesy of KJW Photography)