Prairie Dogs Lose Tight One

Published on June 24, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


SAN ANGELO, TX - In a series that has been full of offense and had more than its fair share of errors in the field, the San Angelo Colts and Abilene Prairie Dogs played a rare low scoring game that the Colts held on to win 2-1.

Starter Mark Willinsky allowed 12 hits but did not walk a batter on his way to picking up his third win of the season. Willinsky seemed to dance in and out of trouble all night long, his only mistake being a solo HR to 1B Kyle Nichols in the 2nd inning, inducing two double play balls and was helped out with some great defense in the 5th inning.

With one out, C Zach Crosswhite stroked a base hit and moved to second on CF Jason Martin's single. After SS Eddie Browne popped out, 3B Wilson Batista singled to center and Crosswhite was gunned out at the plate on a great throw by CF Ronnie Gaines.

In the seventh inning of a tie game with reliever Todd Weldon on the mound, the Colts mounted a short 2-out rally. RF JJ Sherrill stroked a 2-2 pitch for a base hit then moved to second on a throwing error by Weldon on a pick-off attempt. 1B Daryl Jones fell behind in the count 0-2 before fighting off a fastball into center field. Sherrill came in to score giving the Colts a 2-1 lead.

The Prairie Dogs threatened in the 8th inning thanks to a 1-out double by 3B Wilson Batista. Working against tiring Colts starter Mark Willinsky, Joe Weik flied out to left and Gunner Glad came to the plate. Glad, who replaced Kyle Nichols earlier in the game, was robbed of the game tying hit on a tremendous diving play by RF JJ Sherrill to end the inning.

Both teams lost key contributors to their everyday lineups during the game. After starting the game in left field for the Colts, Jamar Walton left the game in the middle of the 1st inning. It is unknown why Walton left the game. In the top of the sixth, 1B Kyle Nichols went crashing to the ground while he was attempting to beat out a ground ball to second base. Nichols had to be helped off the field with an apparent left leg injury. The severity of the injury is unclear.

RHP Billy Petrick started for the Prairie Dogs and gave a strong effort. Petrick was cruising through the first five innings but ran into trouble in the bottom of the sixth. 1B Daryl Jones started the inning with a single then DH Cory Patton followed him with a walk. SS Landon Camp then stroked a 1-2 pitch into the outfield to plate Jones for the first run of the day for San Angelo. Petrick escaped further damage by getting SS Danny Hernandez and LF Jason Crosland to pop out. Then with two outs Michael Pair grounded out to second to end the threat.

Notes: After taking 3 of the first 4 games of the series, the Prairie Dogs have lost 3 in a row....Eric Draxton closed it out for the Colts. He picked up his 8th save of the season and his 3rd of the series....Mark Willinsky has allowed 12 or more hits in consecutive starts....1B Kyle Nichols hit his 3rd HR of the series and has driven in 9 runs in the last 7 games....CF Jason Martin has had 2 or more hits in 6 of the last 7 games.

The Prairie Dogs complete their 8 game series with the Colts on Monday at Walt Driggers Field. Tune in live on 106.9 KLGD or Abileneprairiedogs.com for the First Financial Pre-Game show at 6:55pm and the first pitch at 7:05pm.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American League Stories from June 24, 2012


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.

OurSports Central