The Kewanee Boilers attempted to dig themselves out from a 1-6 hole Tuesday night at home against Monmouth United but fell one run shy, losing 6-5.

The Red Storm put two runs on the board in the first inning when Nolan Jenks hit a single, sending home Ian Leffler and Chance Stewart on the play. The 2-0 score would stand until the top of the sixth inning. 

The Boilers attempted to get a rally going in the fourth inning. Colson Welgat and Jackson Hawkins each hit singles and Landon Sheets bunted into a fielder’s choice to advance both runners. United, however, squandered the scoring attempt after turning a double play to close out the inning.

Elliott Copeland of United scored on an error in the top of the sixth inning to end the scoring drought. Carson Horner then hit a double and Tanner Rogers scored, extending the Red Storm lead to 4-0. 

Kewanee answered with a solo run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Braden Clark hit a line drive single to center field, plating Hawkins for a score of 4-1. 

United tacked on two more runs in their final at-bat. Carter Rothzen hit a double and Leffler scored on the play. Nick Tyrell then hit another double for the Red Storm, sending home Rothzen for a lead of 6-1. 

Kewanee mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Dillon Price and Brady Schiltz both walked and Ben Taylor followed up with a single to advance Price and Schiltz on the play. 

Welgat doubled on a fly ball to center field, scoring Price and Schiltz to close the gap, 6-3. Taylor then scored on a wild pitch (6-4) and Welgat advanced to third.

Sheets stepped up to the plate and hit a single and Welgat scored, but the rally came up short and Kewanee fell by a score of 6-5. The Boilers slip to 5-11 on the season and United moves to 12-5 with the win. 

On the mound:

After four innings in the circle, Landon Sheets suffered the loss for Kewanee. He struck out six and walked four, while surrendering 2 hits and two earned runs. 

Tanner Rogers was the winning pitcher for United. In 2.2 innings, he struck out three and gave up just one hit. 

At the plate:

Welgat (2-4, 1 double, 1 run, 2 RBI). Clark (2-3, 1 RBI). Sheets (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB). Hawkins (1-3, 1 run, 1 BB). Taylor (1-4, 1 run). Price (1 run, 1 BB). Schiltz (1 run, 1 BB). Conley (1 BB).