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Fielders Victorious in Maui with 9th-inning Comeback

May 31, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Lake County Fielders News Release


Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii (May 30, 2011) - It turned out to be a memorable Memorial Day finish for the Lake County Fielders (4-1) as Fielders surged with a late comeback to defeat the Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 6-5.

The game was scoreless through the first two innings, until Fielders second baseman Brandon Newton hit a line drive triple to the alley in right-center field, with one out in the top of the 3rd inning. Newton came home on a groundout by Fielders shortstop Rex Rundgren.

Fielders first baseman C.J. Ziegler added to the lead with a solo home run over the left field wall to begin the top of the 4th inning. It was Ziegler's third home run of the series, following his two-homer game in the season opener this past Thursday.

Maui cut into the lead in the bottom of the 5th inning, thanks to a costly Fielders error. Maui centerfielder Mitch Einertson drew a leadoff walk, and advanced to third on a two-base throwing error by Fielders starting pitcher Michael Moore, who attempted to pick off Einertson. Einertson was brought home on a ground out to cut the Fielders lead to 2-1. The unearned run was the only one allowed by Moore in the game.

The bats picked up for Maui in the bottom of the 6th inning, after Moore had departed. Fielders reliever Nick Gaudi walked two of the first three batters he faced to begin the inning. With runners at the corners and one out, Einertson brought home the tying run on a sacrifice fly to left field. Maui catcher Jowen Murray-Thornton and right fielder Mark Okano followed with run-scoring hits of their own, giving Maui a 4-2 lead.

However, Maui's lead would not last long. Rundgren singled with one out to set the table for centerfielder Lino Garcia. Garcia drilled the second pitch in his at-bat over the left field wall to tie the game at 4-4, giving the Fielders some momentum late in the game. It was Garcia's second home run of the season.

Maui climbed back to regain the lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, as Einertson hit a solo homer to begin the inning. For Maui, it was their first home run this season, and it gave them the lead once more, at 5-4.

With the game seemingly in hand in the top of the 9th inning, Maui manager Garry Templeton brought in reliever Bryan Herrera to earn the save. Herrera just needed two outs to finish the game, but the Fielders did not make it easy for him at all.

Newton got on base despite swinging and missing for strike three, when the ball caromed all the way to the backstop. There was no play to get the speedy Newton out at first base. Rundgren followed that fortunate play with a single. After Herrera got the second out of the inning, he found himself in trouble by throwing two wild pitches. Newton scored the tying run on the second wild pitch, sliding head first at home plate to beat out the very close play at the plate.

In that same at bat, Fielders left fielder Argelis Nunez was able to coax a walk out of the frustrated Herrera. Herrera also chose to intentionally walk Ziegler to load the bases. It was up to youngster Quentin Luquette to give the Fielders the lead. The patience paid off for the Fielders right fielder, as he looked at four balls, earning the bases loaded walk and bringing in the go-ahead run. After issuing the third consecutive walk of the inning, Templeton pulled Herrera, but it was too little, too late.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Fielders closer/pitching coach Chris Thompson came in to shut the door and earn the save. Thompson would strike out the side to earn his third save in as many tries, giving the Fielders the season-opening series victory.

Despite giving up the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the 8th inning, Fielders reliever Greg Lane (2-0) picked up the victory out of the pen. Lane went two innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out three. But, it was Herrera's (0-1) blown save that picked up the Fielders' hopes. Herrera lasted just one-third of an inning, allowing two runs on a hit, walking three and striking out one.

The Fielders will look to move their record to 5-1 on Tuesday night in sixth game of their seven-game series in Maui. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm local time (11:35pm central). You can listen to the game on 1220 AM WKRS or online at fieldersbaseball.com or wkrs.com.

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North American League Stories from May 31, 2011


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