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Blue Anchors Pick up Walk-Off Win over Rafters

August 10, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Alexandria, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors walked-off against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Friday night by a score of 8-7 at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. The sweep gives the Anchors a 13-21 second-half record and they're 23-45 overall.

The Rafters got off to a hot start in the first against Scott Sanderson. Derek Peake drew a lead-off walk and went to second on a George Ragsdale sacrifice. Donnie Dewees then collected an RBI base hit making the score 1-0. After Dewees stole two bases, Jackson Slaid singled and Wisconsin Rapids had an early 2-0 lead.

Alexandria responded in the bottom of the second against Derek Kawleski. Tim Cusick drew a walk to start the inning and was retired on a fielder's choice by Michael Barash. Dalton Leuschke was hit by a pitch and Andrew Mulato singled to load the bases for Tyler Curtis. On a 2-1 pitch, Curtis grounded into a fielder's choice bringing in Barash for the Anchors' first run. Then Ben Allen grounded a ball into left field scoring Leuschke to tie the score at two. Jake Bergren continued the two-out attack as he singled into center scoring Curtis and giving the Anchors' a 3-2 lead. On a 2-2 offering, Kris Goodman singled home Allen increasing the lead to 4-2.

The lead was cut to one as Michael Jurgella hit a solo homer to start the fourth inning cutting Alexandria's lead to 4-3.

The Anchors got that run back in the bottom of the inning. Curtis singled to begin the frame and went to second on an Allen sac bunt. With two outs again, Goodman singled in Curtis making the score 5-3.

The offense continued to stay hot in the fifth. Barash drew a lead-off walk and went to second on a wild pitch. After the next two hitters were retired, Curtis collected an RBI base hit bringing in Barash. Then another base hit by Allen put two on for Bergren who singled in Curtis for a 7-3 lead.

Kevin Hatcher, who pitched a scoreless fifth, walked the first batter Slaid and allowed a single to Zack Belanger. After a strikeout, Jurgella hit an infield single and while trying to get the runner out at first, Goodman's throw got away allowing Slaid to score. A safety squeeze by Marcus Wheeler brought home Belanger and the score became 7-5.

The lead kept shrinking as the Rafters got their first two batters on-base to start the eighth against Eldon Evans. A sacrifice put both runners in scoring position and an RBI groundout by Robbie Coman pulled the Rafters within one.

Dominic Reed came in to pitch the ninth and Derek Peake hit an infield single and went to second on another Goodman throwing error. A sac bunt put him and third and with the infield in Dewees grounded out and the Anchors were almost out of the inning but Slaid hit a double to center bringing in the tying run.

In the first extra inning, the Anchors ended their final home stand in style. With two outs and nobody on, Kris Goodman hit the first pitch he saw out to centerfield for a walk-off solo homer giving the Blue Anchors a dramatic 8-7 victory.

Sanderson went four innings allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with one strikeout. In two innings of relief, Hatcher gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits, a walk and a strikeout. Pitching two innings was Evans who allowed one run on two hits and one walk also with one punch out. Reed threw .2 innings surrendering an unearned run on two hits. Ben Larpenter retired the only batter he faced in the ninth and getting the victory was Ross Slaney (3-1) working one scoreless inning working around two walks.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Kris Goodman (3B) - The University of Iowa infielder played the role of hero as he hit the walk-off homer to give the Anchors a victory while adding two other hits and driving in three runs.

Notes: The walk-off homer was the second of the season for the Anchors...Allen in his debut had two hits, an RBI and a run scored...The team drew a season-high 743 fans...The Anchors finished 15-20 at Knute Nelson Memorial Park...The team won the season-series 3-1 against the Rafters...The Blue Anchors have two games left in the season in Thunder Bay against the Border Cats...The starter is yet to be announced...The game, starting at 5:05 p.m., can be seen live at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.

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