Blue Anchors Split Doubleheader with Bucks

July 13, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - The Alexandria Blue Anchors split a double-header with the Waterloo Bucks Friday night at Riverfront Stadium. The Anchors lost game one by a score of 5-1 and used a comeback to win game two 6-4. After the twin bill, Alexandria has a record of 3-6 in the second half and they are 13-30 overall.

Waterloo jumped ahead in game one in the first inning against Kevin Hatcher. Pat MacKenzie walked on four pitches to start the game and Connor McClain was hit by a pitch. Hatcher got Chesny Young to ground into a double-play but David Kerian walked to put runners on the corners. Jake Mahon reached on a fielder's choice to score MacKenzie for an early 1-0 lead. A single by John Ziznewski scored Kerian making the score 2-0. After Marcos Calderon was hit by a pitch to load the bases, an infield single by Austin Pernell brought home Mahon and after one inning, the Bucks led 3-0.

Hatcher was lifted after one inning for Taylor Simpson. McClain singled with one out and came around to score on a Young homer, pushing Waterloo's lead to 5-0 in the second inning.

The lone Blue Anchors run came in the fourth inning against starter the Bucks' starter Eric Stout. Andrew Sohn walked with one out and went to second after a two-out walk by Michael Barash. Tim Cusick singled to right field which brought home Sohn, pulling them within four.

Hatcher (0-2) last just one inning and allowed three runs on two hits, two walks, two hit batters along with one strikeout. Simpson pitched his best game to date by going five innings giving up just two runs on two hits and a walk to go along with two punch outs.

In game two, the offense started early for Alexandria against J.T. Miller. Georgie Salem started the game with a double on the first pitch he saw and with two outs, Albert Baur singled to center scoring Salem giving the Anchors a 1-0 lead.

The Bucks countered in the bottom of the first against Eldon Evans. Calderon singled with one out and went to third on a single by Young. Catcher Kyle Pollock blooped a one-out single to right to score Calderon and even the score at one. Then, an error by Kris Goodman brought Young home, putting Waterloo up 2-1.

Alexandria's bats awoke again in the top of the fifth. Salem singled and advanced to second on a bunt single by Goodman. Cusick drew a walk to load the bases and after a Baur strikeout, Aaron Gretz belted a double, high off the centerfield wall, to clear the bases and give the Anchors a 4-2 lead. Gerrion Grim III entered for Miller and allowed a single to Andrew Mulato. Keegan Dale singled into left, extending Alexandria's lead to 5-2.

Evans ran into tough luck in the bottom of the fifth. Black Hickman reached on an error by Sohn to start the frame. MacKenzie hit an infield single but a throwing error by Goodman allowed Hickman to score and put MacKenzie at third. A single by Calderon brought home MacKenzie and the Bucks trailed just 5-4. Kerian then drew a one-out walk and in came Brandon Johnson. Kerian and Calderon pulled off a successful double-steal putting the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position but Johnson was able to retire the next two batters to preserve the lead.

Johnson found himself in trouble again with two runners in scoring position and just one out in the bottom of the sixth. MacKenzie struck out and Calderon nearly hit a bloop single into left but Sohn made a diving catch to end the inning.

In the seventh, the Anchors scored an insurance run. Gretz doubled again to start the inning on a line-drive to left center. Dale reached on a fielder's choice and Sohn singled to load the bases. Dalton Leuschke walked to bring home Gretz and make the score 6-4.

Evans (1-1) earned his first win of the season going 4.1 innings allowing four runs, one earned, on six hits and just one walk with two strikeouts. Johnson pitched 1.2 scoreless allowing two hits and striking out two batters. Jose Cardona earned the save going one inning allowing a walk with one punch out.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Night - Aaron Gretz (C) - Gretz supplied much of the Blue Anchors offense in game two. The Ohio State backstop had two doubles, one was the winning hit, which led to two runs scored and three RBI.

Notes: Cardona is perfect in all five of his save opportunities...Simpson pitched a season-high five innings...Tyler Curtis continues to reach base as he's gotten on base via a hit or walk in all six of his starts...The Blue Anchors had three players named to the Northwoods League All-Star Game in Chase Rihtarchik, Baur and Salem...Alexandria looks to win the series against Waterloo Saturday...On the mound is Tyler Beck (1-4, 5.68)...The game, starting at 7:05 p.m., can be seen live at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.



Northwoods League Stories from July 13, 2013


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