Furious finish ends Bandits season

APPLETON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored three runs in the ninth inning Thursday to earn a 7-6 walk-off victory that ended the Quad Cities River Bandits High Class A Midwest League season.

In a thrilling second game of the best-of-three Western Division final, the Bandits scored two runs in the ninth inning to take a 6-4 lead, with the teams combining to score in the game's final five at-bats.

However, QC's saves leader Ben Sears couldn't complete the win despite some heroics on defense in the bottom of the inning. Right fielder Sam Kulasingam scored a potential game-winning run at the plate. Luis Lara tried to score on Cooper Pratt's single from second base, but was taken out of the game by catcher Omar Hernandez.

But the Timber Rattlers did not waste their second chance: Luke Adams hit a single to right and Pratt, who had taken second base on the previous play, beat Kulasingam's throw and sent the Timber Rattlers to the Midwest League final against Lake County.

QC was in catch-up mode all night after the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the third inning against QC starter Ethan Bosacker, who allowed four hits in five innings. He managed one walk and struck out five times.

Nate Ackenhausen and Chazz Martinez each allowed one run in their appearances.

Every River Bandit in the starting lineup reached base, with seven players accounting for the eight hits. Jac Caglianone had the only multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs — those came in QC's three-run fifth inning that gave the Bandits a 3-2 lead.

Wisconsin tied the game in the seventh inning. QC took a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning when Shervyen Newton hit a two-out double to score Carson Roccaforte.

The hosts then tied the game in the eighth inning with a single run by Martinez after an RBI double by Ramon Rodriguez with two outs.

Then it was QC's turn in the ninth inning. Hernandez led off with a single and leadoff batter Justin Johnson reached first base on a fielding error, putting runners on first and third. After Johnson stole second base, Spencer Nivens hit a sacrifice fly to Lara in center field. His throw to third base was mishandled by Luke Adams, allowing Johnson to score and QC seemed to take control with a 6-4 lead.

However, a walk and two singles put the Bandits in trouble. Wisconsin's first run was scored by QC's unsuccessful double play attempt and then the plays at the plate provided fireworks for the hosts.

This loss ended a strong 38-28 run in the second half for the Bandits, who secured their playoff ticket with the Western Division title in the second half.

The High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals finished the season with an overall record of 68-65.

Before Thursday's competition, the Royals and River Bandits had to make another adjustment to their lineup.

Third baseman Trevor Werner, who suffered a back injury just hours before Tuesday's game and had to be removed from the lineup, was placed on the injured list.

His spot on the 30-man roster was filled when Austin Charles was transferred to the Quad Cities squad.

Charles, a 20-year-old California native, played the entire Class A season with the Columbia Fireflies. In 409 at-bats, he posted a .257 batting average with 10 home runs and 64 runs batted in. He also stole 36 bases and scored 62 runs for a .257/.353/.739 batting average.

He was selected by the Royals in the 20th round of the 2022 draft out of Stockdale High School in Bakersfield, California.