Beetles Grinnin' after Pickens' Walk off Single

June 27, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Beetles News Release


Jon Reed pitched eight innings of brilliant one-run baseball and Jimmy Pickens hit a walk-off single with one out in the tenth as the Alexandria Beetles (10-18) knocked off the Thunder Bay Border Cats (12-16) in the opener of a three game set.

The Beetles led 3-1 going into the ninth before Thunder Bay struck for two against Alexandria closer Anthony Bazzani. But Alexandria, held scoreless after the third inning by the combination of Border Cat starter Kacy Kemmer and reliever Mitch McQueen would not be denied their tenth win of the season.

Alexandria opened the scoring in the second inning with back to back doubles from Pickens and Matt Beaty, breaking an 0-11 slump, and doubled the advantage two batters later on a double-play grounder by Jared Musgrove that drove home Beaty.

An inning later, back to back singles from Tanner Vavra and Dylan Raper and a squeeze bunt by Johnny Tolson brought in the third run of the game.

On the other side of the ball, Reed was lights out. The starter was perfect through four, striking out the side in the fourth inning, before allowing a single and a walk in the fifth. Patrick Gallagher delivered the Border cats second hit of the game in the seventh but he did not advance past first.

Kemmer settled down after the third and pitched well through the seventh to keep the Border Cats in striking distance and Thunder Bay finally pulled one back off Reed in the eighth on a one-out double by Cory Kay and RBI-single from James Bonds.

The Border Cats were not done. A pair of singles and a walk provided a cruel greeting for Bazzani who was charged for a pair of runs in the ninth inning as Thunder Bay drew level.

Thunder Bay again looked dangerous in the 10th loading the bases off Bazzani. Alex Guilford entered for Alexandria and the first batter he faced, Omar Cotto, lined one in front of right-fielder Jimmy Pickens. But holding up at third to make sure the ball was not caught, Kyle Lombardo was gunned down at the plate by Pickens for the second out.

Guilford struck out Justin Higley to end the inning setting the stage for the Beetles to walk off. With one out, Ben Moore grounded a double inside of the third base bag and Pickens followed with his game-winner.

The Beetles pounded out 13 hits in the game.

Alexandria and Thunder Bay play the second of their three-game set at 7:05 CDT Thursday at Knute Nelson.



Northwoods League Stories from June 27, 2012


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