COLUMBUS — Wayne was one strike away from elimination in the B-4 area tournament, but came back from the dead in a big way, scoring three in the top of the seventh to claim a 5-4 win over Albion and advance to Tuesday’s final day at Pawnee Park.
Wayne led 1-0 going into the fifth when Albion scored three to take a 3-1 lead. Wayne got a run back in the sixth and had two in scoring position with two out in the seventh when Aiden Liston doubled in the gap in left center to give Wayne the lead. Will Leseberg, running for Liston, came home on a passed ball to give Wayne a much-needed insurance run.
Albion scored a run in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying and winning runs on base, but Devin Anderson made an amazing diving catch in right center to end the rally and send Wayne to the final day of the double-elimination tournament.
Wayne (21-8) will play at 4 p.m. on Tuesday against either Columbus Lakeview or Battle Creek. If they play Lakeview, the winner will face Battle Creek in a 7 p.m. championship. If Wayne faces Battle Creek, they will have to win two to take the area title and advance to the state tournament that starts Saturday in Pierce.
