Blue Anchors Fall to Bucks in Extras

Published on July 9, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Alexandria, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors fell in 10 innings to the Waterloo Bucks by a score of 8-5 Monday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. The loss gives the Anchors a record of 1-3 in the second half and 11-27 overall.

In the bottom of the first, the Anchors grabbed an early lead. With one out, Kris Goodman singled on a grounder into right field and on a 1-2 pitch from Waterloo starter Aaron Rhodes, Andrew Sohn deposited the ball over the left field fence to give Alexandria the early 2-0 lead.

After two perfect innings to start the ballgame, Anchor starter Corey Fitzgerald walked John Ziznewski to start the third. Ziznewski advanced to second on a wild pitch and Fitzgerald threw wild to first on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Pernell bringing home Ziznewski to make the score 2-1. Another sacrifice bunt, this time by Jake Riffice, moved Pernell to third with one out. Pat MacKenzie lifted a ball out to right-center giving the Bucks a 3-2 advantage.

Waterloo used another long ball to extend their lead in the fourth. A single by Jake Mahon got the inning started and on the next pitch, Marcos Calderon went deep extending the Bucks lead to 5-2.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Anchors cut into Waterloo's lead. Tim Cusick took the first pitch from Rhodes out to center making the score 5-3.

Against reliever Drasen Johnson, Alexandria created excitement at the Shipyard in the bottom of the eighth. Cusick singled to start the frame and on a 1-2 pitch, Ryan Blanchard hit a two-run home run to centerfield tying the score at five.

It didn't take long for Waterloo to grab a lead when the game went into extras. Connor McClain walked against new pitcher Ty Walker and after a fly-out, David Kerian walked to put two on. Mahon grounded a single into left scoring McClain giving the Bucks a 6-5 lead. A double off the bat of Calderon drove in Kerian extending Waterloo's lead to 7-5. After an intentional walk to Ziznewski, Pernell popped up for out number two but Walker walked Riffice, scoring Mahon and making the score 8-5 in the Bucks favor.

Fitzgerald received a no-decision going six innings allowing five runs, four earned, on six hits and two walks along with four strikeouts. In 1/3 of an inning, Brandon Johnson allowed a hit and a walk. Zac Custer pitched 2/3 of an inning and had one punch out. Jose Cardona pitched two scoreless innings allowing just a walk and two strikeouts. Taking the loss was Walker (0-3) going 2/3 of an inning. He gave up three runs on two hits and three walks. Ross Slaney finished the tenth inning getting the only batter he faced to groundout.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Ryan Blanchard (DH) - The University of Alabama product had two hits in the game and had the clutch homer to tie the game at five in the bottom of the eighth inning. His .347 average is ranked fifth in the Northwoods League.

Notes: Fitzgerald has gone at least five innings in seven of his eight appearances this season...Cusick homered for the first time since June 18th, a streak of 18 games...With a walk tonight, Andrew Mulato now leads the Anchors with 19 on the year...Goodman now has a six-game hitting streak...With three homers tonight, the Anchors lead the Northwoods League with 35 on the season...The series continues Tuesday and that means it is Bark in the Park sponsored by Lea's Pet Products and all dogs are welcome to the game...On the mound for Alexandria is Chase Rhitarchik (3-0, 2.75)...Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at Knute Nelson Memorial Park and for those who can't make it to the park, the game can be seen live at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.

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Northwoods League Stories from July 9, 2013


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