Blue Anchors Finish Perfect Homestand with 9-6 Win

July 19, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Alexandria, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors finished off the sweep of the Thunder Bay Border Cats with a 9-6 win Thursday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. The Anchors are now just a game under .500 in the second half at 7-8 and they're 17-32 overall.

The Border Cats were on the board in the first against Eldon Evans. Two walks to Ty Stetson and Dylan Becker started the ball game and on a 3-2 pitch, Tyler Duplantis dumped a double into right field scoring Stetson to give Thunder Bay a 1-0 lead.

Alexandria evened things up against Chris Kerwood in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Andrew Sohn hit an infield single and stole second. Then on a full-count offering, Albert Baur singled to right plating Sohn and knotting the score at one.

A disputed call gave Thunder Bay the lead once again. Brad Burcoff singled with one out and Alex Bautista hit a long fly ball to left which appeared to hit off the warning track and bounce over the fence but the field umpire ruled a home run giving the Border Cats a 3-2 advantage.

The Anchors used the long ball to their advantage to take the lead in the bottom of the second. Aaron Gretz hit a one-out blast to right field cutting the deficit to 3-2. After two-out single by Tyler Curtis, Georgie Salem took a 2-0 offering out to right-center to put Alexandria up 4-3.

A couple of infield base hits for Ryan Blanchard and Gretz got things started in the fourth for Alexandria. Keegan Dale then doubled home Blanchard. A walk to Curtis loaded the bases with no outs and with one out in the inning, Kris Gooman hit a sac fly to centerfield scoring Gretz increasing the Anchors' lead to 6-3.

The score got close in the top of the sixth due to some unearned runs. Cory Kay walked with one out and reached second on an error off the batt of Burcoff. A walk to Alex Bautista loaded the bases and a fielder's choice by Joey Hawkins brought home both Kay and Burcoff to cut Alexandria's lead to 6-5.

With one out in the seventh, Sohn hit a solo shot out to centerfield extending the Blue Anchors lead to 7-5.

Another long ball gave Alexandria some insurance in the eighth. Dale was hit by a pitch to start the inning against Anthony Pastrana and went to second on a passed ball. Tyler Curtis popped out to the pitcher but then Salem hit his second two-run homer of the game making the score 9-5.

Thunder Bay put together one last rally in the ninth against Brandon Johnson. Duplantis hit a lead-off single and went to second on a groundout. With two-outs in the inning, Kay singled to left field scoring Duplantis pulling Thunder Bay within three. Johnson was able to retire Burcroff to end the game and secure the sweep.

Evans (2-1) picked up his second victory of the year going 5.2 innings allowing six hits and six walks leading to five runs, three earned, along with one strikeout. Zac Custer pitched two shutout innings of relief allowing just two walks. Earning the save was Johnson going 1.1 innings giving up one run on two hits.

Minnesota Baseball Player of the Game - Georgie Salem (CF) - In five at bats, Salem showed off his power. The University of Alabama outfielder hit two homers that supplied four runs and he also made great plays in the outfield.

Notes: Salem hit his first homer at home of 2013...Dale extended his hitting streak to eight games while Sohn extended his to seven...Evans pitched a season-high 5.2 innings...Every Blue Anchor hitter had at least one base hit...This is the first four-game win streak of the season for Alexandria...The Anchors hit the road for two games against the St. Cloud Rox before returning home Sunday for one game before the All Star break...Starting game one of the series is Tyler Beck (1-5, 5.23)...The game can be seen live, starting at 7:05 p.m., at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.



Northwoods League Stories from July 19, 2013


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