Document text
Robbins comes up clutch for Mustangs By Kris Henry Updated: Jul 23, 2022 07:06 PM A A 8 View all photos Medford catcher supplies walk-off winner as Mustangs outlast Beaverton in state tournament opener Jeremiah Robbins has quietly gone about his business as one of the unsung heroes this summer for the Medford Mustangs, but all that likely changed Saturday afternoon at Legion Field in Roseburg. Robbins propelled himself into the spotlight — and the Mustangs into the winners bracket — at the American Legion AAA state tournament with his walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 4-3 win over the Beaverton Sockeyes. “Jeremiah did a good job of locking in and staying on top of the ball,” said Mustangs manager Nate Mayben of the bases-loaded single, “and bringing in that winning run certainly was nice to see.” With Robbins’ clutch performance, Medford (33-7) put itself in good position as the Area 4 champions vie for a potential 18th state championship in program history. “Getting that first win is huge,” said Mayben, in his 12th season at the helm. “It’s the one that gives you the ability to breathe a little bit. Now you know we’re in the winners bracket and guaranteed at least two more games, and now it’s here we go and rolling into another game.” The Mustangs are slated to play the winner of Saturday’s late game between host Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s and the Sherwood Lobos. A Roseburg win means Medford will play at 7 p.m. Sunday night, while a win by Sherwood equates to a 4 p.m. start so the host team gets the primetime slot despite being in an elimination game. Sunday’s other winners bracket contest will feature the Hillsboro Barbers against the Salem Withnell Dodgers, who won 4-3 over the Emerald Challengers of Eugene/Springfield. Beaverton (14-12) had earned its right to face Medford in the state tourney after rallying for an eight-inning victory one day earlier against the Corvallis Marketmen, 9-7. The Sockeyes, spearheaded by starting pitcher Michael Fitzgerald, were up for the challenge Saturday and used a three-run fourth inning to gain a 3-2 edge on the Mustangs. Medford was able to tie the game at 3-all in the bottom of the fourth after Robbins singled and scored from first base when Owen Thompson’s successful bunt was then thrown wild of first base. The Mustangs had a chance to plate the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth when Thompson doubled and Johnny King drew a two-out walk in the No. 9 spot, but Cody Borraggine was forced into a groundout to halt the threat. Of note, however, was that Medford was able to assure itself that the heart of its lineup would get their chance in the final frame. “We just needed to get through that top of the seventh without giving up any runs and we felt good,” said Mayben. “Cody did a great job of doing that after (Cameron Sewell) got those first two outs.” Sewell opened the bottom of the seventh with a line drive up the middle against the left-handed Fitzgerald, then Tanner Douglas reached safely when his sacrifice bunt was thrown low to first base for an error by the pitcher. “Having Tanner get that bunt down and make them make a play was all I was thinking about right there,” said Mayben. “Let’s just get the ball down, make them make a throw to first base and see what happens.” Now with runners on first and second and relief pitcher Alex Elliott on the mound, the Mustangs went to the well successfully again as cleanup hitter Jace Miller executed a bunt perfectly down the third base line to load the bases. “It was hard bunting a guy that is hitting .500,” said Mayben, “but I think the situation called for it.” “We talk about that situation all the time,” he added. “We’re not trying to give up an out in that situation, we’re trying to put down a good placement bunt that makes the third baseman make a decision and really what Jace did was picture perfect.” The decision also spoke to the faith Mayben and company had in the next few batters slated to come to the plate. Aiden Horsley followed with a hard-hit grounder that was one-hopped into the glove of Beaverton’s drawn-in shortstop for a fielder’s choice at the plate for Medford’s first out. Robbins assured that there wouldn’t be another. On a first-pitch breaking ball, Robbins coolly ripped a liner past the diving shortstop and into left field for the game-winner. The North Medford product entered the game with a .316 batting average and 34 RBIs. “That was big, really big,” said Mayben of the hit. “I appreciate the fact that he actually hit the ball hard on a line and got through the six hole. He was right on it.” Robbins and Thompson each finished with two of Medford’s 10 hits, with Sewell going 3-for-4. Borraggine supplied a leadoff triple in the first and scored on a single by Sewell, and Medford went up 2-0 in the third when Sewell laced a triple and scored when Douglas’ liner went off the glove of Beaverton’s second baseman. Medford split up its pitching duties in an effort to adhere to the pitch count rules for the tournament, with Sewell coming on in relief of Douglas to pitch 3 2/3 innings and allow three hits with six strikeouts and one walk in less than 45 pitches. Borraggine needed only five pitches to finish off the seventh with a strikeout. Beaverton Sockeyes0003000—343 Medford Mustangs1011001—4101 Fitzgerald, Elliott (7) and Clarke; Douglas, Sewell (4), Borraggine (7) and Robbins. W — Borraggine (4-2). L — Fitzgerald. 2B — M: Thompson. 3B — M: Borraggine, Sewell. Have a story idea? Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected] or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford's Jeremiah Robbins celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single against the Beaverton Sockeyes for a 4-3 win during the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford Mustangs second baseman Johnny King gets to second base safe against the Beaverton Sockeyes during the second inning of the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford Mustangs catcher Jeremiah Robbins connects for the game-winning RBI hit during the bottom of the seventh inning against the Beaverton Sockeyes during the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford Mustangs outfielder Cameron Sewell connects for a triple against the Beaverton Sockeyes during the third inning of the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford Mustangs starting pitcher Tanner Douglas delivers against the Beaverton Sockeyes during the fourth inning of the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford Mustangs center fielder Cody Borraggine connects for a triple against the Beaverton Sockeyes during the first inning of the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford's Jeremiah Robbins slides into home plate safe during the fourth inning against the Beaverton Sockeyes during the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneMedford Mustangs first baseman Owen Thompson connects for a double during the sixth inning against the Beaverton Sockeyes at the American Legion AAA state tournament in Roseburg Saturday.