Schmitt Excellent, But Offense Sputters in 7-6 Loss

Former Rangers rally past current Rangers as the Redlegs bested the defending champs 7-6 on Sunday, April 25 at Athletes in Action.

   Shawn Schmitt pitched a great game for the Rangers, striking out 14 batters without allowing a walk. But the Rangers offense couldn’t put muster enough baserunners each inning to put away the Redlegs.

Taylor Guntle got the scoring going in the top of the second for the Redlegs with a solo home run over the AIA scoreboard in left field. The Redlegs plated four more in the third on an RBI triple from 2010 draft pick Matt Mattice. Former Ranger Jacob Robinson followed with an RBI double and Brad Clark roped an opposite field homer just over the right field porch for a quick 5-0 lead. Shane Fallen led off the third for the Rangers with a triple to center. Fallen scored on an RBI double by Ben Schooler. Jake Kingsolver and James Robinson launched solo home runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 5-3. The Rangers battled back in the seventh inning to tie the game at 5-5. James Robinson got hit by the pitch. Jelani Arnold then laced a double to center. James would score on a wild pitch, and Jelani would tie the game with an RBI fielder’s choice by Steve Marshall.

   The Rangers then took the lead in the bottom of the 8^th as Clint Wolf led off with a triple to center. Jake Kingsolver’s short pop fly to left-center easily scored Wolf with the go-ahead run. The Redlegs’ ninth inning started with a line drive single to left off the bat of Taylor Guntle. Steve Benthal singled with one out to put runners at the corner. Former Ranger Jared Bradley blooped a single to center to plate the tying run. After an opposite field single by Mattice to load the bases, Schmitt was able to strike out his 14^th batter of the game. But with two outs, Jacob Robinson came through with an RBI single to right field that scored the go-ahead run before Shane Fallen through out Bradley attempting to score from second to end the inning. The Rangers failed to put anything together in the bottom of the ninth and fell for the second time this season (both as the Home team).

Offensive highlights: Jake Kingsolver 1-for-2 HR, 2RBI, sac, HBP; James Robinson 1-for-3, HR, 2 runs, HBP; Ben Schooler 2-for-4, double, RBI; Clint Wolf 2-for-4 triple; Shane Fallen 1-for-3 triple, BB

Historical Notes: Jonmarc is one run shy of 300 scored in the league. James is 1 RBI shy of 100 for his career. Joe is 1 RBI short of 100 career RBIs. Joe needs 3 more runs scored for 100 in his career.