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Blue Anchors Defeat Mankato 18-2 Behind 6 Home Runs

June 15, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Mankato, MN - The Alexandria Blue Anchors defeated the Mankato MoonDogs 18-2 on Saturday night at Franklin Rogers Park with six homers. The win puts the Anchors at 4-12 on the season and they split the two-game series with the MoonDogs.

Alexandria didn't take long to get on the board as Georgie Salem continued his hot hitting and took a 2-2 Bryan Bonnell offering deep to right field for a lead off homer. Shortstop Andrew Sohn doubled to left but was picked off second and Aaron Gretz popped out to first for the second out. After Albert Baur drew a walk, Ryan Blanchard was hit by a pitch and Tim Cusick followed with a walk. With the bases loaded, Austin Listi launched a ball into left field for a grand slam giving the Blue Anchors an early 5-0 lead.

In the second inning, the Anchors added to their lead. Center fielder Kris Goodman led off the inning with a homer to left field to make the score 6-0. Salem singled to center and after the next two batters were retired, Baur lifted a double to centerfield to bring home Salem making the score 7-0.

The game was broken open in the top of the third as the Blue Anchors doubled their lead. For the third consecutive inning, a home run led off the inning when Cusick lined a ball over the right field fence to increase the lead to 8-0. Listi and Aaron Overbeck walked and Goodman singled to center to load the bases. Salem singled to center and an error by center fielder Quinnton Mack cleared the bases and Salem made it to third to give Alexandria an 11-0 lead. On the first pitch after a pitching change, Sohn drove the ball deep into left field over the fence for a two-run homer making the score 13-0. Gretz followed with a walk and Baur and Blanchard both singled to load the bases. A passed ball brought home Gretz and after three innings the Blue Anchors led 14-0.

After two quick outs in the fifth, Listi lined a ball into right-center over the fence for his second home run of the day to make the score 15-0.

The Blue Anchors' starter, Chase Rihtarchik, was untouched through the first four innings but the MoonDogs got one back in the fifth. Rihtarchik retired the first two batters of the inning but hit Kendall Patrick with a pitch and a singled by Alex Polston put runners on the corners. Mack took a 2-1 pitch into the centerfield to score Patrick to make the score 15-1.

The scoring continued in the top of the sixth when Goodman started the inning with a single but he was out at second on a fielder's choice by Salem. Sohn and Gretz singled to load the bases and Baur collected another base-hit to score Salem increasing the lead to 16-1. Blanchard preceded with a single to left bringing home Sohn to push the Anchors' lead to 17-1.

Gretz walked and Baur was hit by a pitch to start Alexandria's half of the eighth. The next two batters were put away but Listi brought home Gretz with a double giving the Anchors an 18-1 lead.

The MoonDogs got one back in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Scott Sanderson. Krysthian Leal walked to start the inning and advanced to second on a passed ball. A fly-ball out put Leal at third and Zach Zehner walked to put two runners on base. Tim Lynch grounded a ball to second base to score Leal making the score 18-2.

On the mound, Rihtarchik (2-0) earned the win going six innings allowing one earned on four hits while striking out two and walking none. Andy Johnson pitched a scoreless seventh allowing two base hits. Sanderson allowed no hits and two walks surrendering one run. Zac Custer made easy work of the MoonDogs in the ninth as he didn't allow a base runner and struck out the side.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Austin Listi (DH) - The Dallas Baptist product was one of the many bright spots for the Blue Anchor's offense as he had a season-high six RBI. His two homers tied him with Gretz for the team lead in home runs (three) and he reached base four times (three hits and one walk). He now has a six-game hitting streak.

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