The Wayne American Legion Post 43 Seniors came from behind twice, but couldn’t hold the lead at the end as host Arlington had the last word in an exciting 9-8 win Wednesday.
Wayne trailed 4-0 going into the fifth before tying the game with four of their own. Payten Gamble broke the ice with an RBI single to left, Tyler Lutt followed with another RBI single and Zane Jackson tied the game with his double down the left field line, scoring Gamble and Lutt to make it 4-4.
Arlington reclaimed the lead in the sixth with three runs, but Wayne bounced back in the top of the seventh with four more runs to take the 8-7 advantage.
Gamble led off the inning with a double and moved to third when Lutt reached on an error. Jackson singled to bring home Gamble, and Justin Dean followed with an RBI single to bring home Lutt.
Ryan Jaixen, running for Jackson, scored on a single by Hagan Miller to tie the game, and Jacob Kneifl’s sacrifice fly to center scored Dean to give Wayne the lead.
Unfortunately, Arlington had the last say, using a dropped third strike and two singles to load the bases with nobody out. Gamble struck out the next two batters, but Arlington used a two-run single on a 3-2 count to score the tying and winning runs, sending Wayne to its first loss in five game this season.
Arlington outhit Wayne 13-10 in the contest. Jackson had three hits and Gamble added two for the locals. Gamble and Lutt both scored twice. Tucker Nichols got a no-decision after working 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing nine hits and four walks before Gamble came on in relief and took the loss.
Wayne is back home Friday for a Seniors matchup with Wakefield. The Seniors and Juniors have games at home Saturday with Lincoln Parkview Christian and Monday against Wisner-Pilger-Dodge-Howells.
