Keys' Bullpen Dominates in Friday Win
Published on August 11, 2023 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
Frederick Keys News Release
Frederick, MD- The Keys returned home on Friday and got a six game home stretch off to a great start with a 5-3 win over the State College Spikes.
Hunter Viets got the start on the mound for the Keys and got his night going on a high note, striking out a pair in a 1-2-3 first inning.
In the second inning, Spikes shortstop Josh Leslie knocked the team's first hit, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch to start the scoring in the game.
The Keys would load the bases with nobody out in the second inning, and Cameron Butler would work a bases loaded walk to even the game at one. That would be the only run they could manage that inning, however, as Spikes second baseman Zac Vooletich made a great leaping catch to rob Kirkland Banks of a hit, and the Keys of at least two runs.
Vooletich would give the Spikes the lead with a third inning single, and former Key Brennen Dorighi would add a sacrifice fly against his former club to make it 3-1 State College in the third inning.
The Keys would manufacture a run back for themselves in the bottom half. After Hylan Hall doubled to lead off the frame, he used two consecutive groundouts to score and cut the lead in half.
In the fourth, a two out single from Kirkland Banks would knot the game up at three.
It would stay tied until the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, Logan Thomason reached on a State College error, allowing Zaid Walker to score the go-ahead run. Walker had stolen second base and moved to third on a balk.
Kirkland Banks then added insurance in a big way, homering to left field in the eighth inning, his third of the season, to extend the Keys lead to 5-3.
Matthew Maldonado then had a 1-2-3 ninth inning to lock down his second save of the year.
Notes:
The Keys bullpen (Joe Sprake, Tyler Germanowski, and Maldonado), allowed just one baserunner in relief of Hunter Viets. They combined for six strikeouts, adding to Viets' five over 5.2 innings.
Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from August 11, 2023
- Spikes Fall to Keys, 5-3, in See-Saw Matchup on Friday Night - State College Spikes
- West Virginia Walks It off with a 7-6 Win Over Trenton at the Mon - West Virginia Black Bears
- Keys' Bullpen Dominates in Friday Win - Frederick Keys
- Gamelin Fans 14 As Cutters Blank Scrappers - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Dorighi's Slam Highlights Spikes' Onslaught in 13-5 Win Over Crosscutters - State College Spikes
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