O’Fallon, MO- The Hoots hung on to win their second extra-inning game in a row. This time they beat the Clinton Lumberkings 9-8 in ten innings, taking advantage of multiple mistakes to earn the victory.
Top Performers:
John Connors- 3-5, 3 RBIs, 1 R
Nick Steurer- 2-5, 2 RBIs, 2 Rs
Mason Burke- 2.0 IP, 2 Hs, 1 ER, 2 Ks, 2 BBs, Winning Pitcher
How It Happened:
The Hoots struck first, with Nick Steurer driving in Samuel Paule on an RBI single in the first. The LumberKings responded, however, with team RBI leader Gavin Awbrey homering in the second to tie the game.
The Hoots took advantage of a couple errors in the third, scoring two unearned runs to bring the score to 3-1. Cole Lanclos would single in two for the Lumberkings in the bottom of the inning to tie the game 3-3. The Hoots would score twice more in the bottom of the inning, including an RBI force out by John Connors, to bring the score to 5-3.
The game would remain quiet until the final two innings. In the top of the eighth, the Hoots would once again take advantage of some sloppy Clinton play by scoring two runs on an error. John Connors drove in another run on a single to make the game 8-3. The Lumberkings then took advantage of an erratic Hoots staff, scoring a run on a bases-loaded walk in the eighth.
The Lumberkings would then methodically tie the game in the ninth. Jack Werkowitch would load the bases with no outs, after which Mason Burke would enter. RBI singles by Ziegler and Specht brought the score to 8-6. An RBI fielders choice by Sobieszczyk made the score 8-7. A wild pitch by Burke would then score Ziegler, tying the game at eight and forcing extra innings.
Jake McGhee was placed on second to begin the Hoots tenth inning. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, McGhee would score what would end up being the winning run on a John Connors sacrifice fly to make the score 9-8.
The Lumberkings threatened in the tenth, but Mason Burke shut them down. He struck out Grant Ingram with men on second and third, and then Brody Shinkle with the bases loaded, to lock down the win for the Hoots.
The Hoots complete their series against the Lumberkings on Friday, before returning home on Saturday to face the Alton River Dragons.
