
Wingnuts Clinch Fifth Winning Season for Hooper
August 6, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
POMONA, NY - The Wichita Wingnuts (51-25) beat the Can-Am League's Rockland Boulders (38-35) 7-5 at Provident Bank Park on Tuesday afternoon.
With 51 victories, the Wingnuts clinched a fifth consecutive winning season under fifth-year manager Kevin Hooper. Hooper entered the day with the most wins and the highest winning percentage of any manager in the American Association since taking over in 2009.
For a fourth time in five games, the Wingnuts managed a comeback in the later innings. Trailing 4-3 in the top of the eighth, Wichita plated four runs to take their first lead of the day. Abel Nieves struck an opposite field double to right-center with one out to put the tying run on base. Madison Beaird followed with a line drive single to left that put runners on the corners. Cole Armstrong then delivered a pinch-hit RBI single through the left side that tied the game at 4-4. After Jared McDonald singled to load the bases, Ryan Khoury was hit by a pitch to force home the go-ahead run. Two batters later, John Rodriguez extended the lead to 7-4 with a two-run single up the middle.
Rockland scratched out their final run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Angel Molina led off with a double and scored on consecutive groundballs from Stephen Cardullo and Billy Alvino.
Josh Dew struck out two during a perfect bottom of the ninth to lock down his 19th save of the year. Dew is one save shy of tying the Wingnuts' single-season record. Dew, who saved 20 games in 2011, shares the record with Byron Embry (2008).
Rockland jumped out to an early lead when Jerod Edmondson hit a two-run home run to right-center in the bottom of the first inning against Wingnuts' starter Josh Stone.
The Boulders tacked on another run in the second on a Donnie Webb groundout to first with the bases loaded.
Trailing 3-0 in the top of the third, McDonald homered on a high flyball to right-center to pull the Wingnuts within two.
Edmondson led off the bottom of the third with a triple to center field and scored two batters later on Cardullo's RBI double down the left field line.
Brent Clevlen tripled off the top of the left-center field wall with one out in the top of the fourth. Nieves followed with an RBI double to right-center that cut Rockland's lead to 4-2.
The Wingnuts scored their third run in the top of the seventh. With two outs and no one on base, Jake Kahaulelio came back from an 0-2 count to walk. Rodriguez followed with a single to center field. Kahaulelio and Rodriguez engineered a double steal with Kahaulelio scoring on a throwing error from Boulders' catcher Scott Knazek.
Nick Walters earned the win in relief with a perfect bottom of the seventh. Marcos Frias took the loss for Rockland, allowing four earned runs in one-third of an inning in the eighth.
Stone took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on five hits in five innings. Stone walked three and struck out one.
Pat Moran started for Rockland and also took a no-decision. Moran allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits over seven innings. Moran walked four and struck out six.
Daniel Bennett worked a scoreless relief inning for Wichita. Eight different Wingnuts had at least one hit in the win. Kahaulelio, Rodriguez, Nieves, and McDonald each had multiple hits. Wichita stole five bases in the win and has stolen nine bases over the last two games.
The series continues Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Chris Smith takes the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com
The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 13th when they host the Gary SouthShore RailCats. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.
For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com
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