Home runs by Buddy Carlson and Chris Musolf were not enough for the Proctor Padres to keep up with the Ashland Merchants as they lost in Ashland for their final 2008 Upper 13 League game.
The game was scoreless into the third inning until Ashland scored on a first-and-third steal play. Proctor took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth. Carlson led off the inning with a smash into the tall grass past the left field fence and after singles by Tim Nylund and Corey Pavlich, Alan Schmidt drove in Scott Lustig, who had reached base on a fielder's choice, with a single.
Ashland tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth on three singles and an error. Proctor got out of a one-out bases-loaded jam when third baseman Joe Collier alertly touched third on a ground ball before throwing across the diamond to get the batter-runner out at first base for a double play.
Ashland took a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning on a pair of Padres' errors. They tacked on another run in the sixth on two singles and a sacrifice fly, but Proctor was able to turn another double play on the runner who tagged up from second and attemped to take third as the throw from Proctor centerfielder Jason Melander went home. The throw was up the third base line and catcher Tim Nylund's one-hop throw beat the runner to third.
Ashland added two more in the seventh off of Proctor reliever [Nick Koubsky]. Two errors allowed the leadoff runner to advance to second and he later scored on a wild pitch. Koubsky was lifted in favor of Alan Schmidt after a walk and single with one out. Ashland again scored on a first-and-third steal play as the ball got away from Koubsky, now playing second base, allowing the runner from third easy access to the plate. Ashland again attempted a first-and-third steal play but this time the runner from third base was caught in a rundown and tagged out by Collier. Schmidt ended the inning with a strikeout.
Carlson walked to lead off the eighth with Proctor down by four. Musolf pinch hit for left fielder Mike Gerard and after missing on one swing, connected for Proctor's second hard-hit homer to left field and to bring the Padres back into the game, now trailing 6-4.
Collier pitched a scoreless eighth, and Proctor had the top of the lineup due up in the ninth inning. They went down 1-2-3, eliminating Proctor's chances of making the post-season outright. Now their fate lies in the hands of the region administration. The Padres will receive word of their potential participation in the playoffs on Wednesday.
Proctor starting pitcher Anthony Bush took the loss. He worked five innings and left with the Padres behind 3-2. He allowed six hits, two earned runs and no walks. He had four strikeouts.
Proctor finishes the Upper 13 League season with a mark of 7-5, good for a tie with the Bayside Vipers for third place. Bayside defeated Port Wing on Sunday to even their recored with Proctor after losing to the Merchants in Ashland on Friday. Proctor's final game of the regular season has been changed to Mon., Aug 4, at Grand Rapids. They play against the Itasca Indians, a non-league opponent.