Beach Bums Split DH to Open Season
Published on May 16, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
EVANSVILLE (IN) The 10th season of Traverse City Beach Bums baseball is officially underway following a doubleheader split at Bosses Field against the Evansville Otters Saturday night. After rain washed away Friday's opener, and delayed Saturday's start by nearly two hours, the Beach Bums were finally able to get in some action.
Yazy Arbelo and Adam Kirsch belted two-run blasts and Luis DeJesus fired five strong innings to pace a 4-2 Beach Bums' win in the opener. Evansville recovered to take advantage of some Beach Bums' defensive miscues to even the doubleheader with a 3-1 win.
In the opener, Evansville took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Kurt Wertz lined a two-out double to right field. He'd advance to third base on a passed ball and score wen Jamie Del Valle's grounder in the infield was booted.
The Otters appeared on the verge of extending the lead in the fourth inning. Nick Balog singled and Chris Sweeney doubled to open the inning. With two runners on and no outs, Wertz lifted a fly ball to centerfield. Jay Austin made the catch and then fired a one-hopper to the plate to nail Balog trying to tag and score.
Evansville failed to add to the lead and the Beach Bums answered in the fifth. After Evansville starter Will Oliver didn't allow hit through four innings, Brandon Jacobs led off with a clean single to left. Then with one out, Kirsch crushed a two-run shot to left to put the Beach Bums' up 2-1.
Traverse City added to the lead with Arbelo's two run moon shot to right in the sixth to make the score 4-1.
Evansville got a run back in the last of the seventh. But Bret Dahlson would induce Balog to pop out in foul ground to third basemen Jose Vargas, stranding the tying run at first, to end the game.
DeJesus picked up the win, tossing five innings and allowing that single unearned run on five hits. He finished with three strikeouts.
In the nightcap, Evansville again struck first in the second inning. With two outs Wertz singled, went to second on a passed ball and scored on Josh Allen's two out single to left.
The Beach Bums evened the score off Otters' starter Preston Olson in the top of the fourth. Arbelo's tied the score with his second homer of the game, a drive to left center.
Traverse City starter Casey Delgado had some highlights in his first outing of the summer, striking out eight. However, control issues and the defense behind doomed the Beach Bums in the fifth inning. With the score still tied 1-1, Cory Urquhart doubled to left to start the inning for Evansville.
After a strikeout, John Schultz's infield grounder was misplayed. Then with runners at the corners and one out, Shayne Houck's infield tapper was too, booted allowing the go ahead run to score.
A bases loaded walk to Wertz later in the inning added to the Evansville lead, 3-1.
Traverse City had a chance to counter in the sixth. Back to back singles by Graham Ramos and Greg Harisis started the inning. However, Ramos was cut down trying to steal third and Harisis was doubled off second base after Evansville's second base Allen made a diving play.
The two teams conclude their weekend series Sunday at 6:05pm eastern time in Evansville.
The Beach Bums' home opener is scheduled for next Friday vs. Windy City at 7:05pm. There will be a FANtastic fireworks show following that game. All games are broadcast live on 98.1 The Bear.
The Wuerfel Park offices are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
The Beach Bums will play 51 games at Wuerfel Park in 2015. In addition, there is a Farmers & Flea Market Saturdays June 13th-October 10th. Along with live concerts following most Saturday home games. Season ticket packages are still available! Fans are invited to come on out to the ballpark and personally choose their seat or call 231-943-0100 for more information.
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