DH Split with Indians
The
Dayton Rangers lost a heartbreaker in game one to the Springfield Indians 6-5,
but countered with a 24-14 explosion (or implosion for that matter) in game
two.
Starting pitcher Brad Clark promptly surrendered a pair of runs in the
top of the first inning from a two-run single to Phil Beach. The Rangers
countered with a two-spot of their own as Brandon Howard singled in Jonmarc
Lippincott and Clint Wolf to tie the game at two. The Rangers took the lead in
the third when Howard singled again to drive in Wolf. The Rangers made it 4-2
in the fifth when Jake Kingsolver was hit by a pitch with the bases full. The
Indians battled back to tie the game in the top of the fifth on RBI singles
from Matthew Coleman and Brian Boggs. The Rangers managed to take the lead
right back in the sixth as Shane Fallen singled in Jelani Arnold who doubled
earlier to right. However, a walk, a single, and two costly errors lead to two
more runs to give the Indians the ‘W’ in game one.
As competitive of a contest game one was,
game two was a whole ‘nother event. Rookie Matt Wenzler took the hill for his
MVABL debut; and despite walking 6 batters in 5 innings, Matt struck out 5 and
gave up two unearned runs. During those five innings the Rangers were able to
score in every inning, jumping out to a 20-2 lead.
In the first inning, Jacob Robinson scored on a fielding miscue and Jake
Kingsolver doubled in a run. In the
second inning, Brad Clark scored on a fielding error. In the third inning,
Jonmarc and Shane had RBI singles, and Jake Kingsolver added a three-run home
run. Four more scored in the fourth as Robert Riley garnered the only RBI hit.
The Rangers busted the game open in the fifth with 8 runs. Shane and Brandon
had RBI singles, Jonmarc had a 2-run double, Jacob had a bases-loaded walk, and
Robert hit a sac fly. The Rangers were held scoreless in the sixth. In the
seventh, the Rangers’ final four runs were plated on a bases-loaded walk to
‘Grasping’ to a 24-2 lead, Rangers’ pitching was pummeled for 12 runs in
the seventh inning including a grand slam from Joe Parsley.
Offensive highlights: Jacob Robinson 3-for-7, 5 runs, SB; Jonmarc
Lippincott 5-for-7, 3 runs, 3RBI, 2B, 2 HBP; Brandon Howard 3-for-7, 3 runs,
5RBI; Jake Kingsolver 3-for-4, 2 runs, 5RBI, HR, 2B; Shane Fallen 4-for-8,
3RBI, SB.
Historical notes: Shawn is now 20 strikeouts shy of the MVABL all-time
strikeout mark. Jonmarc is 1 hit shy of 500 as a Ranger. Jacob Robinson
surpassed 100 career runs in the MVABL after scoring 5 runs in game 2. The five runs scored by Jacob is a
career-high for a single game. Clint is 3 runs shy of 200 career runs in the
MVABL. Aaron Armstrong is 2 runs shy of 100 career runs scored.