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Bombers Split Double-Header Behind Catchers' Performances

July 24, 2011 - Prospect League (Prospect)
Dubois County Bombers News Release


The Dubois County took on the Springfield Sliders in a double-header at League Stadium Sunday evening. The Bombers dropped the first game after losing a late lead, but rebounded with a close win in the second game to split the series. Both games were scheduled to be only seven innings, but the first would go into extras.

In the first game, Sal Lisanti threw six innings and left the game with a 4-3 lead. However, the bullpen couldn't hold it together as Jordan Eich allowed two unearned runs in the would-be final inning after a two-out single by Springfield's Mike Wieland. The eighth inning would start extra innings, and in the ninth, Bomber pitcher Kurt Kudrecki gave up back-to-back singles that gave Springfield the lead, 6-5. The offense couldn't bounce back in the latter half of the inning, resulting in a loss.

The offense did have some bright spots, including yet another great night for catcher Ryan Chesler. Going into July 21st's matchup, Chesler was batting just .173 and had yet to have an extra-base hit in 34 at bats. After hitting a walk-off homerun that night, he added an inside-the-park homerun Friday night against Richmond. On Sunday, that hot streak continued. In the second inning, Chesler hammered a 1-0 pitch that eclipsed the distance of any previous homerun this season. It was a no-doubter off the bat, and the ball disappeared over the old time scoreboard in left field. He would add an RBI double later in the game, and after this, Springfield intentionally walked him twice. Despite his efforts, the Bombers couldn't come up with the all-important sixth run.

In the second game, Ryan Billo got a spot start and pitched very well. Springfield scored one run on him in the second inning, but Billo was lights-out after that, allowing just two more hits in his seven inning complete game. The offense gave him two runs, and that was all he needed as his winning decision raises his record to 3-4.

The lineup in the second game got to work early, plating a run in both the second and third innings. In the second, Joe Perez singled and later scored as Ryan Chesler continued his demolition of opposing pitchers with an RBI single. In the last four days, the Millersville University catcher has raised his batting average from .173 to .271, and gone from zero homeruns to leading the team with three four-baggers.

The Bombers took the lead in the third inning, when their other catcher, Kolin Conner, took a 2-1 pitch and drove it out over the left-center field wall for his first homerun of the season. This was arguably Kolin's biggest hit of the year, and was enough for Dubois County to prevail and split the double-header.

Springfield moves to 10-8 in the second half, and 1.5 games back out of first place in the Western Division. The Bombers are now 9-9 and 2.5 games back. With an off day tomorrow, these two teams will have another double-header Tuesday at Springfield, followed by another rematch Wednesday night in Springfield.

The next Bomber home game is scheduled for Friday, July 29th against the Quincy Gems. It will be Girls Night Out at League Stadium, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. All females will receive $1.00 off the ticket price, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation will be giving out prizes! First pitch is set for 7:15 pm EDT!

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