Trailing by 10 runs entering the bottom of the sixth inning against once-beaten Fennimore last Thursday night Belmont appeared dead and buried.
     Then a funny thing happened. The Braves, who have struggled to scrap together four wins this year, refused to give in even against the state’s fourth ranked team in Division 3.
     Six hits and seven walks later Coach David Michalkiewicz’s Braves had scored 10 runs in that sixth inning to force an improbable tie with the visiting Golden Eagles, the champions of the Southwestern Wisconsin Activities League.
     Unfortunately for the Braves, Fennimore didn’t relent under the pressure of Belmont’s unbelievable comeback.
     Freshman catcher Jeff Needam, who’s three-run homer in the second gave the Golden Eagles an early 7–2 lead, singled home Evan Friesen in the top of the seventh inning for what proved to be the game-winning run in a wild 16–15 non-conference victory for Fennimore.
     Belmont’s Jesse Richardson and David Stoney drew back-to-back, one-out walks in the bottom of the seventh, but Fennimore coach Brent Sheckler called upon his ace — Friesen — to put out the flames.
     After Miles Opitz’s sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third Friesen got Belmont lead off hitter Avery Wilborn to pop out to short to end the game.
     Wilborn finished the day 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Senior outfielder Isaac Haag went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
     Sophomore pitcher Kyle Van Bogaert went the distance for Belmont allowing 11 earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out 13 and walking seven in the loss.
     Fennimore junior Ian Streeter recorded the win despite allowing four walks and a run in one inning of relief.
     The Braves closed out the regular season with a doubleheader loss to Black Hawk, 9–2 and 5–2, last Friday.
Belmont (4–21, 4–18 Six Rivers West) will open the WIAA Division 5 playoffs this Friday at fourth-seeded Pecatonica.

Fennimore 16, Belmont 15
(from Thursday, May 17 @ Belmont
Fennimore    251    052    0     —16 12  3
Belmont    210    11(10)    0    ­—15 11  3
Leading hitters — F: Swan 2x3, Fifrick 3x5, Needam 3x5; B: Avery Wilborn 4x5, Isaac Haag 2x4, Kyle Van Boaert 2x5. 2B — F: Swan, Fifrick; B: L. Stoney. HR —F: Needham, Udelhofen, Handfelt, Lyster. W —Ian Streeter (1 IP, 1 H,  1 ER, 3 SO, 4 BB). L — Kyle Van Bogaert (1–7, 7 IP, 12 H, 16 R, 11 ER, 13 SO, 7 BB). SV — Freisen (0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 SO, 0 BB).

Black Hawk 9, Belmont 2
(from Friday, May 18 @ Gratiot)
Belmont    000    020    0    ­— 2   6  4
Black Hawk    251    052    x     — 9 10  2
Leading hitters — Bel: Issac Haag 2x4; BH: Rupnow 2x4, Powers 2x4, Rupnow 2x3. 2B — Bel: Kyle Van Bogaert; BH: Powers. 3B — BH: Rupnow. W —Monson (7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 6 SO, 2 BB. L — Jeremy Richardson (3–9, 6 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 6 SO, 4 BB).

Black Hawk 5, Belmont 2
(from Friday, May 18 @ Gratiot)
Black Hawk    100    013    0     — 5   7  4
Belmont    000    101    0    ­— 2   7  5
Leading hitters — BH: Mythaler 2x3, Monson 2x3; Bel: David Stoney 2x4, Jeremy Richadson 2x3. 2B — BH: Monson; BelL Jeremy Richardson. 3B — BH: Rupnow. W — Mythaler (7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 8 SO, 1 BB). L — Jesse Richardson (7 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 SO, 0 BB).