Cardinals win ninth straight in extras

FOX LAKE -- It took 11 innings, but the Spencer Cardinals kept their winning streak alive Sunday, coming back from a 3-run deficit to beat Fox Lake 5-4 in 11 innings for their ninth victory in-a-row.

"With over a week off, I thought we came out a little sluggish," said Spencer manager Jeff Mahrt, "but we were able to keep them close until our bats woke up."

The Foxes assumed their 3-0 lead with one run each in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Spencer broke out of an offensive slumber in the sixth, cutting the gap to 3-2 on a 2-run double from Nick Redding.

After the Cardinals had tied the game at 3-3 on an eighth-inning, RBI double from Mike Koenecke, Fox Lake produced its own RBI double in the bottom half of the eighth to lead 4-3.

Spencer overcame the deficit again, plating the tying run on two Fox Lake errors in the ninth.

Another Fox Lake error helped Spencer steal the win in the 11th. After a walk to Wade Davis, an error allowed Sam Joy to reach first base, moving Davis to second. Following a sacrifice bunt, Davis scored the winning run on a fielder's choice.

"It was close, but it took a lot of character, and good teams know how to battle back," Mahrt said.

Relief pitcher Drew Nonnemacher, who allowed just three hits in 5 2/3 innings, worked two outs in the 11th before Redding came on for the one-out save. Nonnemacher earned the win, striking out four. Craig Fandel worked the first 5 innings, allowing six hits, walking three and striking out three in the no-decision.

Jeff Steen led Spencer at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two RBI. Joy went 1-for-4; Redding, Koeneck and Seth Thomas were each 1-for-5.

Fox Lake produced nine hits to Spencer's five. The Cardinals had three errors, the Foxes had four.

Spencer improves to 9-1 on the season. The Cardinals will play in Pipestone, Minn., at 2 p.m. Sunday.