Oxford’s Ben Sheridan makes the tag to catch Landyn Morgan stealing third. Both of Oxford and Sherburne’s defenses made tremendous plays with multiple pick-offs and caught multiple runners stealing (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

SHERBURNE – The Oxford Blackhawks and the Sherburne Marauders put on a show in Thursday’s matchup. Both teams had great defensive plays and went into extra innings tied at three. Oxford won the game 4-3 as Landen Olinski scored on Degan Endress’ RBI in the top of the eighth inning. Nic Dodzweit then pitched a clean and scoreless inning to seal the victory.

After great pitching and tremendous defensive work, including multiple pick-offs, both teams caught runners attempting to steal. Oxford scored first in the top of the fifth inning. The Blackhawks took a 3-0 lead on a two-out rally. Conner Dunagan and Caden Rifanburg both got on base with back-to-back singles. Dunagan had excellent base running and scored off Rifanburg’s single. Rifanburg, along with Olinski, came in to score as well off a two-out, two-run RBI double from Dodzweit.

Just when Oxford thought their late lead was enough, Sherburne took advantage of the Blackhawks’ mishaps and tied the game. Landyn Morgan led the bottom of the fifth off with a single before the next two batters struck out. Cameron Mason walked on four pitches before Caleb Neuenschwander reached on an error that lead to one run coming home. One run came in off another error, which led to Caleb coming in to score himself.

Levi Neuenschwander reached on an infield single to keep the inning going, where he stole second, but as he tried to steal third, he was caught by Olinski and Ben Sheridan.