Sue Sitter/PCT Cole Schneibel bats in a run against Rolla in the last regular season game for Rugby American Legion Post 23, played in Rugby, July 14. Rugby fell to Rolla 4-3.

The Rugby American Legion Post 23 team ended its regular season at home with great potential in the batting box.

Most Rugby batters connected with the ball.

However, more often than not, the ball landed in the glove of an opposing player.

The problem persisted through Rugby’s last two regular season games, where they fell to number 2 ranked- Velva, then to Rolla in their last regular season game on July 14.

Rugby lost to Rolla 4-3 in the July 14 game.

Rugby started off well in their last game.

Macen Heisler got things rolling with a base hit. He crossed home plate when Cole Schneibel batted him in.

Rugby’s 1-0 lead didn’t last long. Isaac Herbel took first base on a walk, then stole second. Herbel came home on an RBI by Mitch Wibe. Another RBI by Nick Mears followed, then an RBI by Derick Thomas.

Rolla had a 3-1 lead in the second inning.

In the third inning, a throwing error would bring Herbel home again for a fourth Rolla run.

Rugby’s defense held Rolla back for another inning. Unfortunately, they struggled in the batter box. Promising hits to deep in the outfield landed in Rolla gloves.

Pitcher Erik Foster swapped places with Jacob Ripplinger in the fourth inning. Despite two hits by Rolla players Cy Luna and Xavier Mitchell, Rugby kept Rolla from scoring runs.

Rugby contained the Rolla threat, then brought on the offense in the fifth inning.

Two players landed on base after being hit by pitches. Rugby’s Cole Schneibel batted one in. Schneibel’s brother, Austin, batted in another.

With their lead cut to 4-3, Rolla batters went down in strikeouts one, two, three in the sixth inning.

Two Rugby batters connected with the ball. Rolla’s first baseman caught a line drive by Alexis Duran. Rolla’s center fielder caught a deep fly ball hit by Logan Harner.

Rugby’s defense held Rolla back with two strikeouts and a caught fly ball to left field.

After a caught fly ball from Brady Schock, Brody Schneibel landed a base hit. Cole Schneibel and Foster walked, loading the bases.

A grounder hit by Duran set up a double play for Rolla’s defense, ending the game with a 4-3 Rolla win.

“We’re hitting the ball, but we’re just hitting it at everybody,” Coach Dave Schneibel said. “The same thing happened in Velva.”

“We’re not striking out, but we’ve got to hit it where they’re not,” he said.

Rugby would meet Rolla again in round one of post-season regionals.

Both teams would see the same result – a one-run win for Rolla after a close battle.

The 6-7 loss for Rugby would mean battling back through a second-chance game on July 19.

More tournament results will appear in the July 30 edition.