TL Wichita Wind Surge

Record-Setting Crowd Gets Heart Broken

Published on September 16, 2023 under Texas League (TL)
Wichita Wind Surge News Release


WICHITA, KS - The second to last game of the regular season for the Wind Surge was one for the record books. A record-setting sold-out crowd of 10,442 fans witnessed an electric game five against the Midland RockHounds. The Wind Surge battled it out in a back-and-forth game that unfortunately ended in a come from behind win for the RockHounds. Midland now leads the series three games to two.

The Wind Surge jumped out to an early one-run lead in the bottom of the second inning. Jake Rucker hit a line drive to right field for a single, and then stole second base to start the inning. Ben Ross then ripped a line drive to left field for an RBI single that drove in Rucker from second.

The Surge lead did not last long. Midland tied the ballgame back up in the top of the third off a wild pitch that allowed William Simoneit to reach home from third.

The RockHounds extended their lead in top of the fourth. Daniel Susac hit a fly ball to left center field for a two-run home run.

Wichita fought back in the bottom of the fourth. Rucker hit his second hit of the game on a line drive to center field for a single that advanced Alex Isola to third. They then drove in a run off an Aaron Sabato groundout to third base. The tying run came off a double steal where Willie Joe Garry Jr. stole second and the attempted throw out from the Midland catcher gave Ross the opportunity to steal home from third.

Midland took the lead once again in the top of the fifth. They hit their second home run of the game when Simoneit hit a fly ball to left center field for a solo shot.

The Surge kept the back-and-forth going in the bottom of the sixth when they tacked on a couple of runs and took the lead. Alex Isola tied the game when he hit his 20th home run of the season on a fly ball that was hammered over the left field wall for a solo home run. Garry Jr. then took the lead when he drove in a run off an RBI double.

Sabato hit a huge clutch hit in the bottom of the eighth to add some much-needed insurance runs to the Surge lead. With two outs and a man on base he rocketed a ball over the right field wall for a two-run home run.

The RockHounds did not go quietly. They took the lead back in the top of the ninth. They loaded the bases off two singles and a walk. Cooper Bowman was then able to reach on a fielding error that drove in a run. Max Muncy then hit a three RBI double on a line drive to center field to put the RockHounds up by one run.

Sean Mooney made his second start on the mound for the Wind Surge. He pitched one scoreless and hitless inning where he struck out one batter and walked none. Jaylin Nowlin took over and pitched three innings where he gave up four runs off three hits. He struck out five batters and walked three more. Miguel Rodriguez was credited with the loss, and his record falls to (3-2).

Midland starting pitcher Gunnar Hoglund pitched five innings where he gave up three runs off six hits. He struck out five batters and walked none. Joelvis Del Rosario earned the win for the RockHounds.

The Wichita Wind Surge fell to (36-32, 64-72) and the Midland RockHounds improved to (37-31, 69-68).

NOTES: The 10,442 fans sold-out Riverfront Stadium for the first time in franchise history. It is the largest ever recorded crowd since the opening of Riverfront Stadium.

BROADCAST: ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM, MiLB First Pitch App, Windsurge.com, MiLB.tv and Bally Live app.

UPCOMING: The Wind Surge wrap up the series against the RockHounds and play their final game of the regular season on Sunday, September 17th. First pitch of game six will be at 1:05 PM.

HUNT FOR THE POSTSEASON: The Surge loss combined with Springfield's loss tonight means the hunt continues. The Surge must win tomorrow, and the Cardinals must lose for Wichita to make the post-season.

ATTENDANCE: The crowd is largest in Riverfront History and the Wind Surge now have drawn 316,956 fans this season, an average of 4,661.

Check out the Wichita Wind Surge Statistics

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Texas League Stories from September 16, 2023


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