A message that sparked a miracle
The Baileys Harbor A’s finally broke a decades‑long drought, securing the Door County League playoff berth with a 9‑8 win over Maplewood.
A late rally sparked the victory, highlighted by two‑run homers from Owen Dannhausen and a clutch pinch‑hit by Isaac Baudhuin that shifted momentum.
The team’s morale had been buoyed by a simple message on Hunter Pawelski’s shirt: ‘The long wait since ’98: It’s gonna happen.’ The words seemed to echo through the dugout as the comeback unfolded.
After a three‑year stretch that yielded just one win in 41 games, the A’s had turned a 4‑10 record in 2024 into a 7‑7 mark this season, a turnaround that set the stage for the playoff showdown.
Reliever Danny Lodl stepped in for five innings, limiting the Mets to a single run and earning the win, while former 1998 Baileys star Justin Hartel contributed three RBIs, including a two‑out double that capped a four‑run burst.
The Mets’ night was marred by base‑running miscues — a wild pitch and a runner thrown out at the plate — allowing the A’s to capitalize on every opportunity.
Zach Marchant, a 20‑year friend of Tory Jandrin, reflected on the unity that had built over two decades, underscoring how personal ties fueled the collective effort.
The comeback itself was dramatic; the A’s erased a 7‑3 deficit in the eighth inning, a surge aided by a gusting north wind that seemed to carry the ball farther.
Earlier in the season, the team had already posted a win over Sister Bay, a victory that had hinted at the resilience and competitive spirit that would define their playoff run.