For at least the rest of this year, you can still call the Rudder Rangers young.

It might be a good time to add "but poised."

Matt Fritsche's two-run single in the fifth inning worked its way between two Taylor infielders, bounced into left field and drove in the go-ahead runs in an 8-6 victory over the Ducks in District 24-3A action Wednesday.

Rudder (13-3, 2-1) added a run in the sixth for an 8-5 lead and held on in the top of the seventh as the Rangers beat the Ducks, whom Rudder head coach James Ward coached for several years.

"It's the first time I've beaten the Ducks in six tries," Ward said. "It was big. We had to come from behind and play a little small-ball stuff. I was pleased with the way the kids rallied and kept their composure. Taylor is an outstanding baseball team. We beat a fine club."

Rudder's comeback had few turning points but rather a steady rhythm to it. The Ranger never looked worried, although Ward said they had reasons for concern after Taylor (10-6, 1-2) scored four in the top of the third to build a 5-1 lead.

"We were down four runs against Taylor," Ward said. "That's a lot of runs you have to come back and score. I think we played loose and with a lot of confidence. We can play with anybody if we set our minds to it."

Rudder third baseman Kyle Danford went 3 for 4 with a pair of triples, the first driving in both runs in a two-run fourth inning that sparked the Rangers' rally. Taylor's Jacob Doss nearly stole it away with his glove, making a diving attempt after sprinting into right center. He got a glove on the ball but could not hold it, allowing Fritsche and Blake Kopetsky to score.

Danford later led off the sixth with a triple into the gap in right-center, eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

"That gave us more insurance in the late innings, which I think helped us settle down a little big and play defense behind Blake," Danford said.

Kopetsky earned the victory, relieving Rudder starter Will Johnson to open the fifth inning. Kopetsky struck out six, allowing one run on twho its over the final three innings. He often worked from behind in the count but fought back consistently.

His whole team did that.

"They do what I call command and demand the ball," Ward said of his pitchers. "They say give me the ball and I'm going to take care of business and it showed. They got that big out when we needed it."

Taylor's Jordan Stefek hit a two-run single in the third, while Cody Alderete and Sam Jirasek each hit run-scoring doubles to give the Ducks' their biggest lead.

Rudder cut it to 5-4 in the fourth. Fritsche, who went 3 for 3 with a walk, drove in one of the runs and scored another.

Rudder's Austin Baron then led off the fifth with a walk and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Tim Deahl walked and Taylor Matcek singled to center. That set the stage for Fritsche to deliver a big two-out hit for the second straight inning.

Rudder will play at Cameron on Friday

Rudder 8, Taylor 6

Taylor014 000 1 -- 6 9 1

Rudder100 331 x -- 8 9 1

Cody Alderete, Sam Jirasek (5), Cade Samuelson (5) and David Rodriguez. Will Johnson, Blake Kopetsky (5) and Matt Smith. W -- Kopetsky. L -- Alderete.