WATERLOO • First the Millstadt VFW took Waterloo’s place atop the regular season standings, ending the Millers’ 29-year reign as Monroe Division champs.
Now the Green Machine has taken Waterloo’s place in the playoffs.
The VFW used a late rally to win 4-2 on Wednesday at SPPS Field in Waterloo, ending the Millers’ season in the quarterfinals of the Mon-Clair League playoffs.
Waterloo starter Brandon Musso was on a roll and headed into the bottom of the sixth inning with a 2-0 lead. He should have had the first out in the frame, but Luke Matecki reached on an infield error. Mitch Matecki singled to right-center field and the ball was misplayed there as well, putting the Mateckis on second and third. Zack Hawkins hit an opposite-field two-run double to right, plating both runners to tie the score at 2-2.
Thad Hawkins squared to bunt and was hit in the hand, but the umpire ruled that he was beaned in the chest and awarded him first base. Brett Erlinger followed with a single to center that scored Zack Hawkins and Rob Beatty ripped an RBI single to score Thad Hawkins, handing the VFW the lead they needed to close out the Millers.
“We couldn’t get any timely hits for a while,” Millstadt manager Shorty Toenjes said. “Then (Musso) started getting his breaking ball over and he was really effective.
“We got a break and strung some hits together finally and it went our way from there. We were pretty fortunate, but to our guys’ credit they hung in and did a good job.”
Waterloo jumped on top in the second inning. Nick Dunning hit a single to center and took second on a passed ball. Patrick Miesner followed with a bloop double to right and Lucas Wetzler grounded out to third, allowing Dunning to score to give the Millers a 1-0 edge.
Waterloo made it 2-0 in the top of the sixth. Jake Hurst walked and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Kunkel. Marshall Vallandingham singled off Beatty’s glove at first, allowing Hurst to score.
But that was all the damage Waterloo could do against VFW starter Josh Hoguet, who bought his squad the time they needed to launch the comeback.
“Josh did a really good job and pitched an excellent game,” Toenjes said. “We finally got some runs for him and he did everything he could out there. I was proud of him.”
Musso was Hoguet’s equal, but the Millers couldn’t escape their mistakes in the field.
“Musso pitched an excellent game,” Waterloo manager Vern Moehrs said. “Our inexperience showed up tonight, very much so. I guess it wasn’t in the cards, but Brandon deserved more than he got tonight.”
Millstadt has a tough task looking forward, with the defending champs from Fairview Heights waiting in the playoff semifinals Saturday at Valmeyer. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m.
“They are very good,” Toenjes said. “We will have our hands full, I know that.”
