In a game to take the lead of the Iowa Star North, the Janesville baseball team fell to class 1A No. 8 Don Bosco by a score of 3-2 on Monday, June 30. The two teams played a fantastic and dramatic game that would need to be settled in extra innings.

Entering the game, both teams held conference records of 13-1. The Wildcats’ lone conference loss was to the Dons back on June 4, in which they lost 1-0.

Just like in that game, this matchup for what would likely decide the conference title was low scoring. Also like in the two teams’ first game, the Dons started by taking a one run lead in the first inning.

Unlike that first game, however, the Wildcats were able to battle back immediately and tie the game. The Wildcats scored one run in the top of the second thanks to Gabe Meaney, who slapped a solo home run to knot the score at 1-1.

The next three innings would remain scoreless as both teams received great performances from their starting pitchers. On the mound for the Wildcats was ace Trevor Santee, who struck out nine batters while allowing one earned run in seven innings of work.

Janesville Head Coach Ryan Destival talked about Santee’s performance on the mound during the game and over the course of the season.

“[Santee] pitched a gem. He shut down a very very good offense, and ultimately kept us in that game. He’s been fantastic all season long for us. He’s been clutch, and he’s our number one guy,” said Destival.

The Dons would get back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth by scoring one run, putting them just three outs away from taking the biggest win of their season so far. Needing a rally, the Wildcats once again battled back to tie the game.

Blake Porter started that rally by working a full count walk, and was able to move to second on a wild pitch. Cael Coffman would then come to the plate and hit a ground ball that would roll under the glove of the Don Bosco shortstop, and allow Porter to come all the way around to score.

The Dons would stop the Wildcat rally at just one run, and the game moved into the eighth inning. Santee, having finished another incredible start, was replaced on the mound by Meaney.

Meaney continued right where Santee left off, working quickly through two innings and bringing the game into the 10th inning. Once again, the Wildcats were kept off the board in the top of the inning, bringing up the Dons with a chance to get a walk-off win.

That is exactly what they got, as they sent a fly ball into deep center field that would be caught by Isaac Jones. Jones caught the ball a handful of feet shy of the warning track for the second out, but was far too deep to get back to tag the runner rounding third to the plate. The Dons took their second win against the Wildcats of the season on the walk-off sacrifice fly, 3-2.

Destival gave his thoughts on the game, as well as what he told his team after the heartbreaking loss.

“I told the guys to not hang their heads. They’re number eight in the rankings for a reason. We were right there with them for ten innings. It was just an overall well-played baseball game and it was fun to be apart of,” said Destival.

“[We were] resilient, not trying to do to much with the baseball at the plate, and we were in a good position to win that game. We had a couple of opportunities but we just couldn’t capitalize,” Destival added.

Next for the Wildcats will be the first round of postseason play. They take on Dunkerton at home at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 5.