Team Effort Leads Wingnuts on Opening Night

May 17, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 8-6 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night in their 2012 season opener.

Wichita utilized a balanced offensive attack that featured two home runs, three sacrifice flies, and three stolen bases. Eight of Wichita's nine starters had at least one hit, while all nine reached base at least one time.

After falling behind 1-0 when Lincoln's Mike Provencher opened the game with a home run, Wichita rattled off seven unanswered runs to take control of the game. David Peralta smacked an opposite field, solo homer in the bottom of the second to tie the score.

In the third, the Wingnuts loaded the bases with no outs and used sacrifice flies from C.J. Ziegler and Peralta to take a 3-1 lead.

Jake Kahaulelio was hit by a pitch leading off the fourth, stole second, advanced to third on Mike Conroy's groundout to second, and came home on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Khoury. Later in the inning, Ziegler poked a two-out, RBI single down the right field line to extend the lead to 5-1.

John Rodriguez hit a majestic, two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to give the Wingnuts a six-run advantage. Rodriguez reached base in all five of his plate appearances with two hits, two walks, and a hit batsman.

Derek Blacksher earned the win, working five innings and allowing just the Provencher home run. Blacksher allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out three. Blacksher improved to 11-0 all-time at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Lincoln trimmed the lead to 7-4 with three runs in the top of the seventh. Provencher singled home two with the bases loaded, while Victor Mercedes added another with an RBI groundout.

Kahaulelio made it 8-4 with a line drive single to center in the bottom of the seventh that scored Mitch Einertson.

Lincoln scored one in the eighth and one in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate while down to their final out, but Josh Dew preserved the lead and earned his first save of the year. Dew allowed an unearned run and struck out the side.

Jino Gonzalez took the loss for Lincoln, allowing five earned runs in three and two-thirds innings.

Moises Melendez worked a scoreless frame for Wichita.

The Wingnuts are now 3-2 all-time on Opening Night, and 4-1 in their home openers.

The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson takes on Lincoln lefty Tommy Palica. For individual tickets, call (316) 755-SEAT, or visit www.selectaseat.com

For season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.



American Association Stories from May 17, 2012


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