FL Joliet Slammers

Peters Propels Slammers to the Brink of a Championship

Published on September 17, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


(Joliet, IL) - Brandon Peters entered Saturday's Frontier League Championship Series game as a defensive replacement.

He ended the game as the hero.

Peters hit a walk-off home run on the first pitch he saw in his first at bat of the game as the Joliet Slammers stunned the River City Rascals by a final score of 4-3 to take a two games to one Frontier League Championship Series lead.

"It was definitely the biggest hit of my career," Peters said shortly after celebrating at home plate with his teammates.

With the win, the Slammers are one victory away from winning the Frontier Cup in their first season of existence.

For the third straight game in the series, River City took the early lead. Starter Jeremy Tietze walked Chris McClendon to start the game. He stole second and advanced to third when Trey Manz's throw went into center. One out later Logan Parker delivered a sacrifice fly and it was 1-0 River City.

The Slammers took advantage of a lead-off base-on-balls of their own in the third. Manz drew the free pass and stole second. With two outs, Hector Pellot drew a walk and Erik Lis singled in Manz to tie the game.

Manz got things going again for Joliet in the fifth as he singled to start he frame. One out later Brad Netzel bunted him to second. Pellot came through with a single and Manz scored to give Joliet a 2-1 lead.

Tietze retired eight in a row from the third inning through the fifth. But McClendon singled to start the sixth. One out later the Slammers brought in Chuck Lukanen to face the lefty heavy middle of the order. Logan Parker and Stephen Holdren both threw walks to load the bases. Lukanen got Jason Patton to hit into a fielder's choice but McClendon scored to tie the game. Chris Pack entered the game and struck out Joash Brodin to end the inning.

But Pack's control left him in the seventh. He walked Jareck West to start the inning. West stole second and two outs later the Slammers intentionally walked McClendon. Pinch hitter Eric Williams drew a walk to load the bases and Logan Parker picked his second RBI of the night with a bases loaded walk. Billy Petrick entered for Pack and got Holdren to ground out to finally end the inning.

The Slammers responded in dramatic fashion in the eighth. With one away Brad Netzel singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. Then with two down, Erik Lis worked the count full against reliever Zach Robertson. He hit a seeing-eye single up the middle to score Netzel and tie the game at three.

Brian Smith tossed a scoreless top of the ninth and Peters got a first pitch fastball from River City closer Derrick Miramontes and knew exactly what to do with it has he pulled it deep into the night sky for the dramatic conclusion.

"Captain" Jake Renshaw takes the mound Sunday evening as the Slammers look to clinch the title. First pitch is at 5:05 p.m. For those who can't make it to the game, the first hour can be found here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/joliet-slammers . The game will be joined in progress on AM 1340 WJOL and www.wjol.com.

Tickets for the championship series are $11 for a reserved seat and $6 for a spot on the lawn. They are available at the Slammers Box Office or by calling (815) 722-2287 during business hours. Tickets can be purchased 24/7 at www.jolietslammers.com .

Joliet Slammers baseball is presented by ATI Physical Therapy and the team's run through the 2011 Frontier League playoffs is brought to you by a number of generous sponsors including Velocita Technologies, Tom and Jan Quillman, Play Ball USA, and Harrah's Joliet. The Herald-News and AM 1340 WJOL, the home of the Slammers, also have been instrumental in the Slammers' success in their inaugural season.

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Frontier League Stories from September 17, 2011


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