Munster Edges Lincoln-Way Central 4-3 in Nine-Inning Thriller

The Munster varsity baseball team showed tremendous resilience, rallying late and ultimately securing a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory over visiting Lincoln-Way Central in nine innings on Friday afternoon.

The non-conference matchup was a tightly contested affair defined by solid pitching and clutch, late-game execution. Munster struck first, pushing a run across in the bottom of the first inning, and added another in the third to build an early 2-0 advantage. Nate Southwell provided the biggest swing of the day for the hosts, launching a solo home run and finishing 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.

Lincoln-Way Central battled back in the middle frames. The Knights got on the board with a run in the top of the third inning and then surged ahead with a pair of runs in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead. Brady Rossa paced the visitors’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Des Gill chipped in with a hit and a run scored, while Tyler Arnold added a hit and successfully swiped a base.

Munster starter Jack Kunas pitched effectively, battling through five innings and allowing three runs—only one of which was earned—on four hits while striking out five. Oliver Swinson entered in relief and shut the door on the Lincoln-Way Central offense, tossing four brilliant, scoreless innings. Swinson scattered three hits, struck out four, and earned the win, keeping Munster within striking distance.

Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the fifth, Munster manufactured the tying run to knot the score at 3-3. The game remained deadlocked through the final scheduled innings, forcing extra frames.

In the bottom of the ninth, Munster finally broke through. Donovan Craig, who finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Manny Guaramato, who went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, were instrumental in the team’s offensive effort throughout the day. The hosts managed to push the game-winning run across the plate against Lincoln-Way Central reliever Jackson Hentgen, sparking a walk-off celebration and capping the gritty 4-3 victory.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• First Inning:

  • Munster opens the scoring with 1 run in the bottom half.

• Third Inning:

  • Lincoln-Way Central ties the game with 1 run.

  • Munster regains the lead, 2-1, with a run in the bottom half.

• Fifth Inning:

  • Lincoln-Way Central surges ahead with 2 runs to take a 3-2 lead.

  • Munster immediately answers with 1 run to tie the game at 3-3.

• Ninth Inning:

  • Munster pushes the game-winning run across the plate to secure the 4-3 walk-off victory.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: B. Rossa (2-3, 1 BB); T. Arnold (1-3, 2 R, 1 BB); L. Tingley (1-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB); D. Gill (1-5); C. Kelch (1-4); C. Lovingfoss (0-3); A. Welch (0-5); C. McCabe (0-4); N. Bartkus (0-0).

• Munster: D. Craig (2-4, 1 RBI); M. Guaramato (2-5, 1 RBI, 2 R); N. Southwell (1-2, HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SF); H. Goodwin (1-3, 1 R, 1 BB); D. Schassburger (1-4); N. Crowley (0-1, 3 BB); P. Mihaljevic (0-2, 1 BB); C. Adley (0-4); D. Bevil (0-4); O. Swinson (0-1).

PITCHING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: N. Sloan (3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K); G. Flannigan (1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K); J. Hentgen (L, 3.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K).

• Munster: J. Kunas (5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K); O. Swinson (W, 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K).

BASERUNNING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: SB – B. Rossa, T. Arnold.

• Munster: (No stolen bases recorded).