Blue Anchors Sweep Doubleheader

June 28, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Alexandria, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors were able to sweep the Rochester Honkers by scores of 3-2 and 5-3 in a double header and Knute Nelson Memorial Park Thursday night. After two wins the Blue Anchors have a record of 7-21 with six games left in the first half.

In the first inning of game one, Rochester grabbed an early lead against Anchor starter Chase Rihtarchik. Carter Burgess doubled with one out and scored on a base hit from Tyler Baker giving the Honkers the 1-0 advantage.

Alexandria responded in the bottom of the third against the Honkers' starter Nick Dolsky. Keegan Dale singled to start the inning and went to second on a Georgie Salem walk. A double steal by Dale and Salem put them in scoring position for Kris Goodman. A single for Goodman scored Dale to tie the score at one. One out later, Andrew Sohn lifted a sacrifice fly into left scoring Salem and the Blue Anchors led 2-1.

The Blue Anchors got an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Salem singled with one out and stole second. Goodman grounded out moving Salem to third and he came around to score on a single by Sohn making the score 3-1.

Rochester put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Jared Deacon singled with one out in the inning and moved to second on a passed ball. Jeff Campbell doubled home Deacon and the Anchors' lead was cut to 3-2. Brandon Johnson entered for Rihtarchik and was able to retire the final two batters of the game, stranding the tying run on second, to earn the save.

Rihtarchik (3-0) got the win pitching 6.1 innings allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out six batters. Johnson earned his first save of the summer pitching 2/3 of an inning without allowing a base runner.

In game two, Alexandria took the lead in the bottom of the second. Tim Cusick was plunked by Alex Tenorio to start the inning he went to third on a Ryan Blanchard double. Cusick was cut down at the plate on a fielder's choice off the bat of Michael Barash, who was making this Blue Anchor debut, but Blanchard was able to advance to third. Andrew Mulato struck out for the second out of the inning but Dalton Leuschke singled to score Blanchard giving Alexandria the 1-0 lead.

A series of errors gave Rochester the lead in the top of the third against Spencer Koopmans. Jarad Watts singled and went to second on a single by Kalei Hanawahine. Burgess reached on an error during a sacrifice attempt to load the bases with no outs. Baker hit a sacrifice fly scoring Watts to tie the score. An error by the shortstop Sohn off the bat of Alex Greer scored Hanawahine to put the Honkers ahead 2-1. With Kevin Barker up, Greer stole second base but Barash's throw went into the outfield and Burgess scored, extending Rochester's lead to 3-1.

The lead didn't last long as Alexandria responded in the bottom of the third. With one out, Salem singled but was erased on a Goodman fielder's choice. Sohn singled to put two runners on and Cusick brought home Goodman with a single making the score 3-2. A wild pitch by Tenorio allowed Sohn to score and tie the score at three.

The Blue Anchors grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Barash walked to start the frame and went to second as Mulato reached on a Tenorio error. Barash was picked off second and Leuschke flied out for the second out of the inning. A walk for Dale put two on and Salem hit an infield single and a throwing error by Watts scored Mulato and Dale giving Alexandria the 5-3 advantage.

Koopmans (1-0) allowed three runs, zero earned, in six innings of work while giving up seven hits and one walk. Jose Cardona got his second save in as many chances by pitching a perfect seventh inning.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Night - Chase Rihtarchik (P) - The Michigan State pitcher earned his third win of the season after pitching 6.1 solid innings. He struck out six and walked none. On the season, he has an ERA of 2.19 in 28.2 innings of work.

Notes: This is the first time in Blue Anchor history the team has won back-to-back games...Salem saw his hitting streak extended to 10 games...Sohn now has a seven-game hitting streak and has 42 hits on the season to lead the Northwoods League...Blanchard, Salem's Alabama teammate, also has hit safely in 10 straight games...Rihtarchik has gone at least five innings in all four of his starts...The Blue Anchors look to sweep the Honkers Friday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park...The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and fans can enjoy 2-for-1 Pabst Blue Ribbons thanks to Beverage Wholesalers...On the mound is Hunter Newman (0-1, 9.00) for Alexandria...For those who can't make it to the game, it can be seen live at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.



Northwoods League Stories from June 28, 2013


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