Clem Shines in Beach Bums' Win
July 26, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
CRESTWOOD, IL - Jacob Clem tossed a seven-hitter and the Traverse City Beach Bums provided him with all the offense he would need in the fifth and sixth innings as the Beach Bums took their second straight game from the Windy City ThunderBolts 11-3.
Early on Traverse City missed out on a couple of chances as they loaded up the bases with one out in both the first and third innings, but did not score. The Beach Bums finally broke through in the fifth as Jose Vargas led off the frame with his league-leading 21st homerun of the season. Once again, TC would load the bases as Chase Burch and Kyle Colligan walked, sandwiched around a single by Jeff Flagg. Sean Gusrang came up and delivered a single to score Burch and Flagg for a 3-0 Beach Bums lead. Marcus Nidiffer capped the inning with a sac fly to center to plate Colligan, pushing the lead to 4-0.
After Windy City got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fifth on a Brandon Decker homerun, Traverse City pushed the lead in a big way in the sixth. Vargas led off the frame with a double, followed by a single by Burch to score Vargas for a 5-1 TC edge. The next two batters, Flagg and Colligan walked to load the bases. Two batters later, Nidiffer singled to plate Burch and advance all the runners one base. Kyle Eveland stepped in and repeated the feat, bringing home Flagg while moving Colligan to third and Nidiffer to second and pushing the lead to 7-1.
The inning continued as Brian Heere lifted a fly ball to left that was misplayed by Decker allowing Colligan to score. The ThunderBolts recovered on the play to get Nidiffer at third base to leave runners on first and second with two out. Ryan Still stood in and was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. Vargas was the next batter and drove a double into the gap to clear the bags and put the Beach Bums up 11-1.
Windy City got a pair of runs in the bottom of in inning on a two-run homer by Chad Cregar to pull the score to 11-3. From there it was the Jacob Clem show as the right-hander went the distance, allowing three runs on seven hits. For Clem (4-4), it was his second complete game of the season. He struck out a career-high seven and did not walk a batter.
Offensively, five Traverse City hitters had multi-hit games with Vargas and Gusrang leading the way with three hits while Flagg, Colligan and Eveland chipped in two apiece.
The Beach Bums will send Bennett Whitmore (5-2, 4.15) to the mound in the series finale against Tyson Corley (1-6, 4.24) for the ThunderBolts. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. with the pregame show on Sunny Country 101.9 beginning at 7:45 p.m. Traverse City comes home on Sunday for a doubleheader against the Frontier League's newest addition, the Road Warriors, starting at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for the doubleheader are just $5.
The Beach Bums Family Carnival and Michigan National Guard Community Appreciation day comes up on Saturday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a baseball clinic for kids ages 6-14 hosted by former Major League player and coach Dan Rohn (limited to the first 60 kids who register on the day of the event). A silent auction will take place with items including a team signed bat, jersey, helmet and an opportunity to take batting practice with the team. The Michigan National Guard will bring a rock climbing wall and an inflatable jousting ring. Tickets for the event are just $5. Call 943-0100 for more information.
Frontier League Stories from July 26, 2012
- Myers Carries Grizzlies to Road Win against Rascals - Gateway Grizzlies
- Clem Shines in Beach Bums' Win - Traverse City Beach Bums
- First Inning Grand Slam Sets Tone in Rascals' 12-3 Loss - River City Rascals
- Provence Shuts Down RiverHawks - Rockford RiverHawks
- Crushers Split Double Header With Road Warriors - Lake Erie Crushers
- Schaumburg Shuts out Slammers for Second Straight Night - Schaumburg Boomers
- CornBelters Take Win over Rockford - Normal CornBelters
- Boomers Shut out Slammers Again in 2-0 Final - Joliet Slammers
- Otters and Miners Rained out Tonight; Doubleheader Tomorrow - Evansville Otters
- Tonight's Game Postponed - Southern Illinois Miners
- Wild Things Postpone Thursday Evenings Contest - Washington Wild Things
- RiverHawks Add Infielder Ceuvas - Rockford RiverHawks
- July 26 Joliet Slammers Game Notes - Joliet Slammers
- Slammers Return Home Saturday for Three Games - Joliet Slammers
- Make-Up Dates for Fireworks Announced - Southern Illinois Miners
- Ryan Eigsti Has Contracted Purchased by Blue Jays - Southern Illinois Miners
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.
