Beach Bums Fall In Opener With River City
August 14, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - The Traverse City Beach Bums dropped the opener of a three-game set with the River City Rascals, falling 8-3 on Friday night at Wuerfel Park in a contest witnessed by 5,025 fans.
River City scored twice in the first inning to take the lead against Beach Bums starter Kevin Reese and never trailed. JoJo Batten singled with one out and scored when Chad Maddox tripled. Ernie Banks singled home Batten to put the Rascals ahead. Traverse City scored in the bottom of the inning when Mike Epping led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and crossed the plate on a Michael Campbell grounder.
Another triple by Maddox drove in Scott Houin in the third to make it a 3-1 River City edge. The Beach Bums pulled within 3-2 with the same formula. Epping led off with a bunt single, stole second, moved to third on a grounder and scored when Campbell produced another RBI with a groundout.
Kevin Reese could not get out of the sixth as he took his second straight defeat. Chris Colton connected on a three-run homer to left to open the lead to 6-2 and the Rascals stretched it to 8-2 with runs in the seventh and eighth. Traverse City scored an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth to account for the final margin.
Daniel Howard posted the win for River City, limiting the Beach Bums to five hits in his seven innings. Traverse City finished with six hits in the contest, with two each coming from John Alonso and Mike Epping. Epping also drew a pair of walks in the game.
Traverse City will continue the series with River City tomorrow night in a 7:05pm game. RHP Brett Bostelman (6-5, 3.98) takes the ball for the Beach Bums with River City placing RHP Eddie Degerman on the hill for his debut.
Sandbox Bits
Rain forced the cancellation of the postgame fireworks display, but they will instead be fired off following Saturday's contest
The two stolen bases by Mike Epping match him for his single season
Jared Locke and Ryan Kruszka each celebrated their birthday by appearing in the game; Kruszka tossed two innings while Locke spun the eighth
B.J. Hagen pitched a 1-2-3 ninth and has not allowed a run in his nine second half appearances
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