Resilient Lugnuts triumph past Dragons in 11th
June 25, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Karim Turkamani fisted a broken-bat two-out two-run single over the head of third baseman Frank Pfister, carrying the Lansing Lugnuts (1-0; 37-33) to a thrilling 7-6 11-inning victory over the Dayton Dragons (0-1; 30-40) on Friday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
In both the ninth and eleventh innings, the Dragons led by two runs and had the Lugnuts down to their final out, only to falter before the roars of an electric crowd of 7,916.
The lead was 4-2 heading the ninth, with Dayton reliever Jason Braun striking out Brad Glenn and Justin Jackson to put Lansing at defeat's door. Balbino Fuenmayor drew a hard-fought walk and Eric Eiland was hit by a pitch, allowing Kenny Wilson and Ryan Goins to come through with clutch RBI singles to tie the score.
Dayton retook the lead in the eleventh on Cameron Satterwhite's RBI double and Frank Pfister's RBI single, and manager Todd Benzinger sent out starter Pedro Villarreal to secure the final three outs.
With two on and two outs, Goins supplied another RBI single before Kevin Ahrens reached on a throwing error by third baseman Frank Pfister to load the bases.
The next batter was Turkamani, inserted into the game after Chris Hopkins pinch-ran for starting catcher Sean Ochinko in the tenth inning. Villarreal (3-4) jammed Turkamani with a fastball, but the Venezuelan native muscled it into shallow left for the game-winner.
Lansing reliever Steve Turnbull (2-3) recorded the final two outs to earn the win.
Eiland reached base all five plate appearances in the game, thanks to three walks, the Braun, plunking, and a two-run triple in the seventh inning. Wilson also drew three walks, offsetting 11 strikeouts by the Lugnuts 3-4-5-6 hitters.
Satterwhite went 3-for-6 with three doubles for Dayton in the loss.
The Lugnuts and Dragons play the middle affair of their three-game series on a 7:05 p.m. Circus Night Saturday on Jackson Field, with Lansing right-hander Ryan Tepera (6-2, 3.33) facing Dayton right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (3-3, 4.99).
Tickets to all Lugnuts home games are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from June 25, 2010
- Bees open second half with sloppy affair - Burlington Bees
- Hot Rods Begin Second Half With Victory - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Chiefs Start Second Half With 4-2 Victory Friday - Peoria Chiefs
- Resilient Lugnuts triumph past Dragons in 11th - Lansing Lugnuts
- Loons Blast Past South Bend - Great Lakes Loons
- Rattlers Start Second Half With Big Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Bats Go Still Against Stillings - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Lose in 11 Innings - Dayton Dragons
- Bandits come up short - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Gilliam, Cougars Win 2nd-Half Opener - Kane County Cougars
- TinCaps lose bullpen battle, 5-3 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Loons Power Past Hawks in Second Half Opener - South Bend Silver Hawks
- âCaps Strand 10, Drop Second-half Opener - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Loons Reach One-Millionth Fan Attendance Milestone - Great Lakes Loons
- Dragons Receive 2010 NCAA Saves Leader Kevin Arico - Dayton Dragons
- Estevez Activated for Tonight's Game - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Three Loons Moving Up - Great Lakes Loons
- Dragons Gameday for Friday, June 25 - Dayton Dragons
- Chad Jenkins and Evan Crawford Promoted - Lansing Lugnuts
- Chart Topper B.o.B to Headline Final Day of Rock the Rapids Festival - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Military Veterans Receive Special Price For Miller High Life Home Run Porch At Saturday's Event - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Former Hot Rod Josh Satow Headed To AA - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Hot Rods Added Two Players - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Captains Return Home Monday for a Six-Game Home Stand Packed With Promotions & Fireworks - Lake County Captains
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.
