Wingnuts Stung by Emporia State 6-3 in Exhibition Game
Published on May 5, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 5th, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts battled an in-state college opponent for the second straight night of exhibition play on Monday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For the second straight night they fell behind early and battled back to take the lead, but this time Emporia State University (36-16) answered with a big seventh inning and pulled away for a 6-3 victory.
The Hornets struck first against former Major Leaguer, and Wingnuts' starter, Jon Link. The leadoff batter reached against Link in each of the first three frames, but didn't do any damage until the third. Shortstop Toby Cornejo ripped a two-RBI single through the left side to stake ESU to a 2-0 lead.
The Wingnuts were held in check by a carousel of Hornets' pitchers until they broke through with a crooked number of their own in the fifth. The first three batters of the inning Carlo Testa, David Amberson, and Ryan Khoury reached base safely, before a pair of wild pitches allowed the Wingnuts to tie the game. Brent Clevlen then pounded a double to the left-center gap to plate another and make it 3-2 Wichita.
The 3-2 lead would hold until the top of the seventh when the first four Hornets' hitters reached base against Nelson Curry. That set the stage for Daniel Lorenzen who singled home a pair of teammates and pushed Emporia State ahead 4-3. Another unearned run would cross the plate before the inning was finished.
ESU tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning against reliever Jack Wagoner with an RBI groundout by catcher Tyler Beebe leading to the 6-3 final score.
Brent Clevlen paced the Wingnuts offensively by reaching base all four times he batted and finishing 3-4 with three doubles and the lone Wichita RBI. Matt Robertson (2.0 innings), Erik Lambe, and Mike Zouzalik each shut out the Hornets during their appearances on the mound.
The Wingnuts will play a fellow American Association team for the first time this exhibition season on Wednesday, May 7th at 11:05 a.m. when they host the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium for School Kid's Day. The game can be heard live on 92.7 KWME with pre-game beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The seventh season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 15th against the Grand Prairie AirHogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For information on 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 5, 2014
- RedHawks Top Saints 3-2 in Exhibition Play - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Pitching Strong Again, But Saints Fall 3-2 to RedHawks in Exhibition Game - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Stung by Emporia State 6-3 in Exhibition Game - Wichita Wingnuts
- AirHogs Re-Sign Slugger Andres Rodriguez - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Lemurs Hire Former Miss California USA - Laredo Lemurs
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- Saltdogs' Pitcher Carpenter Headed to Rockies - Lincoln Saltdogs
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