Fairbanks’ Max Snyder delivers a pitch to an opposing Spartan. The senior Panther notched 13 strikeouts in the team’s 2-1 postseason loss to Marion Pleasant.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Heartbreak can occur when one least expects it.
That’s what Fairbanks’ baseball team experienced following its 2-1 postseason loss to Marion Pleasant on Thursday.
“I hate to see it end like that for these guys,” head coach Josh Rine said. “I thought we outplayed them.”
The 13th-seeded Spartans survived their first game of the Division III post-season by defeating No. 21 Mount Gilead 3-0 a few days earlier.
Thursday was Fairbanks’ first tournament game fresh a 10-11 regular season slate.
Panther senior Max Snyder delivered a strong performance on the mound. He fanned 13 during his seven innings.
“Max has pitched great for us all season,” Rine said. “The last couple games he’s pitched, we lost 3-2 and 2-1. He’s pitched well enough to win every game for us this year and unfortunately we didn’t give him enough offensive support.”
Snyder allowed two runs on four hits.
“He’s maybe the best pitcher I’ve coached since I’ve been the head coach here for the past 12 years,” Rine said. “He’s done it for us all season and I hate to see it end like this for him.”
While the Panthers’ offense was able to secure a brief early lead, the Spartans outlasted the No. 10 Panthers in the final inning to take the win.
Synder wasted no time in striking out Pleasant’s Dillon Burns and JT Snively in the top of the first inning.
Dayne Madison followed with a fly ball catch moments later, putting the Panthers at the plate.
Snively, the Spartans’ starting pitcher, walked Madison during the second at-bat for Fairbanks in the bottom half of the frame.
Madison stole second and third before Snively eventually walked Snyder.
A wild pitch gave Madison time to sprint home for the lead.
Both squads battled back and forth until the final inning. In that time, Fairbanks had a couple of chances to pad its 1-0 lead, but could not come through on vital plays.
One chance to add another run came in the bottom of the third inning.
Madden Ungerer found himself on third base following a double by Hayden Queen.
Ungerer hesitated on a pass ball, but took a chance racing toward the plate.
He was met instead by the Spartans’ catcher for the out.
“We had opportunities to do some things and weren’t able to execute,” said Rine. “It came back to haunt us in the end.”
The game culminated in Pleasant taking the game over in the top of the seventh inning.
With two down, Pleasant’s Cole Bailey reached first on an FHS error.
Jackson Kitts, who was already on third at the time, scurried home to tie the game at 1-1.
Pleasant’s Avery Hamper later drove in Bailey for the eventual winning run.
Fairbanks’ last offensive trip of the game was short-lived.
With one out, Madison was able to get on base. However, he was tagged out while trying to steal second.
An infield fly by Snyder was caught to end the game.
The loss was the last game for Fairbanks seniors Aiden Luellen, Chase Shope, Snyder, Zavier Payne, Cole Justus, Queen and Ungerer.
“After these guys leave, we are going to be a really young team,” Rine said, adding the junior class only has two members. “There are a lot of teams on our side of the league that will hardly graduate anybody and it was very competitive this year. We definitely have our work cut out for us next year.”
Throughout the season, Rine complimented his crew along with the senior cast that has set the standard for how to be good teammates.
After experiencing sorrow with the passing of a teammate, the squad remained strong together.
“These guys are just a great group of kids,” Rine said. “After the tragedy that happened, my hat’s off to them for battling through the season the way they did.
“They’re one of the most enjoyable group of seniors I’ve had.”
Pleas. 000 000 2-2 4 0
FHS 100 000 0-1 6 2
WP: Snively
LP: Snyder