Mediapolis halts MFL MarMac's exciting postseason run
Ben Krambeer notched one of MFL MarMac’s four hits in the 2-0 loss to Mediapolis on July 15. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Bulldog shortstop Jacob Schellhorn fields a ball in the substate final.
Parker Kuehl surrendered six hits and two runs—one of them earned—while striking out five hitters in the loss to Mediapolis.
Jaxon Millage races to first base after one of his two hits.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Two runs were all Mediapolis needed to advance past MFL MarMac in the Class 2A - Substate 4 baseball final in Solon on July 15.
The game was a pitching duel between MFL MarMac ace Parker Kuehl, who entered the match-up with eight wins, and Mediapolis’s Lance Ludens, who’d already dealt two shutouts in the postseason to bring his win total to 10.
After a scoreless three innings, MFL MarMac threatened in the top of the fourth when Jacob Schellhorn reached on a leadoff single. He was the victim of a force out at second base on a grounder by Ben Krambeer, who eventually reached second when Jaxon Millage dropped a hit into right field. Unfortunately, the inning ended with both runners stranded.
Mediapolis broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning on a leadoff homerun by Kyler Crow. A pair of MFL MarMac throwing errors helped Mediapolis take a 2-0 lead.
MFL MarMac continued to battle, though. Krambeer and Millage singled to start the seventh inning, bringing pinch hitter Wesley Corlett to the plate. Corlett grounded out, advancing Blake Schutte, who was pinch running for Krambeer, to third. Koda Warrington, running in place of Millage, was out at second. Kade Humble took over for Corlett at first, but couldn’t advance, as Ludens secured a strikeout and fly out to end the game 2-0 in favor of Mediapolis.
Ludens whiffed nine MFL MarMac batters and allowed just four hits and one hit batter over seven innings. Kuehl surrendered six hits and two runs—one of them earned—while striking out five hitters.
MFL MarMac finished the season 24-7, their highest win total since statistics began being recorded on Bound for the 2008-2009 season.
In a Facebook post the following day, head coach Paul Gordon thanked the community “for the overflowing support for the team.”
He also recognized the seven Bulldog seniors—Kuehl, Schellhorn, Krambeer, Millage, Humble, Brayden Gordon and Jaron Wille—who he said “have helped to build something great.”
“Unfortunately, we haven’t left banners in the rafters or 2025 on the dugout plaques, but your footprints and accomplishments will never be forgotten. They will always be part of this program’s future success,” Gordon continued. “The knowledge you shared with the under classmates is unbelievable. Watching you guys from fourth grade till now has been a true gift. I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life, as should you.”
Gordon is already looking forward to what MFL MarMac can do next year.
“We have a hungry group of seniors and many talented underclassmen returning. I have no doubt we can continue this success,” he said.
