Beach Bums win wild one in extras

Published on July 1, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI - The Traverse City Beach Bums scored six runs in their last three plate appearances to battle from behind and knock off the Frontier League East Division leading Kalamazoo Kings 8-5 in 10 innings at Homer Stryker Field on Tuesday night.

Traverse City grabbed a 1-0 lead with a run in the third inning off of Kalamazoo starter Joe DiPietro. Zack Kalter led off the inning with a single up the middle and Jeff Brown followed with a walk. Both runners moved up on a groundout and Steve Young gave the Beach Bums the lead with an RBI groundout.

Jeff Brown made it a 2-0 lead in the fifth with a sacrifice fly that scored Brad Miller. Miller walked to start the rally and Zack Kalter also singled in the frame.

Mike Russell tied the game with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the sixth. Russell hit a two-run homer down the line in left for his 10th homer of the season. Joe Ramos was along for the ride after singling to begin the inning. Brett Bostelman was lifted after walking Kyle Kmiecik. Bostelman threw five innings and allowed two runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out two.

The homerun enabled the Kings to take their first lead in the bottom of the seventh. Brandon Anderson led off with his third homer of the season, a solo shot over the wall in right off of Ted Gjeldum to put Kalamazoo in front at 3-2. The Beach Bums came back with a run in the eighth to tie the score. Steve Young drew a two-out walk and stole second. Jake Whitesides connected on an opposite field double to score Young and tie the game. The run was just the second of the season allowed by Kalamazoo reliever Dan Baerlocher.

Two unearned runs came across in the top of the ninth inning for the Beach Bums as they took a 5-3 lead. Patrick Perry reached on an error to begin the inning and Jeff Brown singled with two outs. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Mike Goetz singled on a 3-2 pitch from Joe Catanese to drive in the go ahead runs. But in the bottom of the inning Joe Ramos hit a two-out, two-strike, two-run homer off of Jeff Williams to tie the score.

In the 10th the Beach Bums loaded the bases with one away. Kyle Maunus was hit by a pitch and Mike Epping and Patrick Perry followed with singles. Brad Miller drove the first pitch from Catanese into left center to plate a pair. Zack Kalter lifted a sacrifice fly later in the innings to account for the final margin. Jared Locke earned the win in relief.

Brad Miller, Mike Epping, Jake Whitesides, and Zack Kalter all had two hits for the Beach Bums. Miller was tabbed as the Player of the Game.

The Beach Bums (22-18) trail the Kings by two games and will continue the series with Kalamazoo tomorrow night with a 7:05 pm game at Homer Stryker Field. RHP Bryan Cryer (0-0, 6.75) will make his second professional start for the Beach Bums opposite LHP Trent Lare (3-2, 4.68) for the Kings. The game can be heard live on The Fox FM beginning with the Labatt Blue On Deck Show at 6:45 pm.

Sandbox Bits Traverse City pitchers struck out 10 in the game; Jared Locke and Jeff Williams each struck out the side The Beach Bums have totaled 10 or more hits in the last five games and are 3-2 Kalamazoo Manager Fran Riordan was ejected before the bottom of the ninth inning

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Frontier League Stories from July 1, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central