The wait is over. Sixty-three years was a long time to wait for a baseball championship, but the Mauston Golden Eagles finally achieved their goal in Hollywood fashion Friday night.  

The Golden Eagles won a thriller over Wisconsin Dells 10-9 in eight innings. Twice, the Golden Eagles were down to their final out and still behind in the game, but clutch-hitting came through. In the seventh inning, Tyler Tardiff doubled. A ground out and pop-up in the infield had the Eagles down to their last out with Zach Merath up. Merath lined a double over the outfielder's head and Tardiff scored to tie the game up and send it into extra innings.  

The Chiefs scored another run in the top of the eighth to go up 9-8.  

In the bottom half of the eighth inning, Erik Benson led off with a walk. David Linsmeyer bunted him over to second. After a pop-up made the second out, Pat Guyse came to the plate and drilled a double to left centerfield.  Wisconsin Dells elected to intentionally walk Tardiff which set the stage for Dustin Manthe.  

Manthe hit the first pitch he saw up the middle to score Guyse and mass pandemonium ensued at Mauston's baseball field.

Tardiff led the way offensively going 3 for 4 with two doubles.

Guyse, Manthe, and Brady Nelson all went 2 for 5.  Manthe and Nelson split the pitching duties.  Each pitcher surrendered only three hits a apiece.  Manthe had four  strikeouts while Nelson had three. Both pitchers were hampered by walks as they combined for nine walks. Nelson earned the win in relief.

"I cannot describe how happy the guys are," said a jubilant Coach Lavold after the game, "They have worked very hard for this and we have all made this our number one goal for the last couple of years. We really wanted a banner for the gymnasium."

The Golden Eagles clinched at least a tie for the conference title, but can win it outright with a win last night against Nekoosa or a win against Adams on Friday.  

Friday's game is now at Adams due to a schedule change earlier in the season.  

Mauston also plays at home vs. New Lisbon on Thursday night in a non-conference contest.