Ironmen Win Opener
Published on May 29, 2012 under Prospect League (Prospect)
Lorain County Ironmen News Release
The 2012 version of the Lorain County Ironmen proved they are a resilient bunch. On opening night against the Richmond River Rats, the Ironmen needed an extra innings to overcome an early 3-0 deficit. When the dust had settled on a great pitcher's duel, the Ironmen prevailed 5-3 in 10 innings.
Former Prospect League All-Star Adam Beach took the hill for the Ironmen in game one of this two game series looking to return to form from a year ago. Beach finished with a 1.47 ERA and a 6-1 record last summer for Lorain County. However, Beach found the early part of tonight's contest challenging.
"I think I came in tonight a little bit too comfortable," said Beach. "I'm glad the defense played so well behind me tonight because they kept the game close early on. But it felt good to get settled in to a grove after a rough first inning. I just had to put that behind me and keep on pitching."
In a 34-pitch first inning, Beach's inability to throw off-speed pitches for strikes hurt his cause. A leadoff walk followed by two singles gave Richmond the early 1-0 lead. With two away, Tyler Mikrut slapped a single through the center of the diamond and knocked in two more runs to put Richmond ahead, 3-0.
Nate Antoine led off the top of the second inning for Lorain County with a sharp single to left, but Jon Kepf immediately grounded into a double play and the Ironmen couldn't answer.
Meanwhile, Beach had tossed a much better second inning and looked much more in control. The third inning proved a testament to some early season resolve, as Beach allowed a single and a walk to the first two runners. Michael Meredith perfectly placed a sacrifice bunt attempt up the third base line and reached safely, loading the bases with nobody out. Beach never faltered though, inducing a groundout and two weak popups in the infield to retire the side without allowing a run.
"I knew I had to eat some innings for our staff tonight," said Beach. "Getting out of the third inning was a great lift for all of us. I just tried to focus throwing strikes and let the guys behind me do what they're good at doing."
The Ironmen found themselves with similar offensive fortune in the top of the fifth frame. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Nolan Neuschaefer lined a ball to Jake Welch at second base, who then fired to first and doubled-up Mark Andrews. Jake Neuschaefer grounded out to shortstop and the Ironmen remained behind 3-0.
After six straight River Rats were retired, the Ironmen finally got on the board in the seventh. Two singles and a hit batter loaded the bases to start the inning for Jake Neuschaefer. Hayden Walch delivered a fastball low and inside that awkwardly bounced off of catcher Garrett Ruckel's left shin guard and jolted toward the third base duggout. The wild pitch allowed everyone to advance and the Ironmen cut the lead to 3-1. Two batters later, Drew Kissinger drilled a 1-2 fastball into the gap in left center field knocking in two runs and tying the ball game at 3-3.
"That was a great at bat by Drew to take the ball the other way," said head coach Joe Rhomberg. "He stayed back nicely and didn't try to do too much in what turned out to be a huge point in the game."
Justin Pearson roped a one out double for the River Rats in the home half of the seventh (Richmond's first hit since the bunt single in the third), but was stranded at third. Lorain County left runners on second and third in the eighth inning as well.
Richmond had a shot to win it in the ninth, but Nate Antoine made a game-saving stab in the hole at third base and fired over to first in time to beat Cody Campbell to end regulation.
"I actually was playing the kid up close because the infield was playing pretty slowly," said Antoine. "The kid got pretty good wood on the ball but I reacted and ended up in the right place in the right time."
Jon Kepf led off the top of the tenth inning by getting drilled in the left arm on a 1-2 pitch from Chris Miller. Jesse Carriere followed that with a walk, bringing Kairee Tekra to the dish for a sacrifice bunt situation for the second time tonight. In a crucial at bat, Tekra struggled to get a bunt down in his first two attempts, but was able to successfully move the runners over on a 3-2 count. Nolan Neuschaefer followed the sacrifice bunt with a sizzling grounder to short that was misplayed and the Ironmen took a 4-3 lead. Jake Neuschaefer struck out but reached first on a passed ball, bringing Cody Koch to the dish. Koch hit a hard grounder to third base that Meredith bobbled, allowing another run to score. Kissinger followed with a ground out to end the inning, but Lorain County found themselves ahead, 5-3.
Spencer Bryant came on to work a perfect tenth inning, notching his first save of the season and lifting the Ironmen to a comeback win.
"I give our pitchers a lot of credit for hanging in there tonight," said Rhomberg. "We could have thrown the towel in when they had the bases loaded with nobody out in the third, but we essentially threw nine scoreless innings after a rough first. It's a great sign that we could piece together a comeback so early in the season."
Prospect League Stories from May 29, 2012
- Ironmen Win Opener - Lorain County Ironmen
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