Tigers Top Long Sox, 6-5

5/29/09

The Tigers returned to Springfield on Friday night to take on their nemesis the Lamberton Long Sox. Entering the game, Lamberton held a 15-3 advantage in contests since 2002. Marc Salazar made an instant impact in the heart of the Springfield order, going 3 for 4 while driving in three runs, leading the Tiger offense. Jake Miesen and Brandon Wilhelmi combined to handle the mound duties in the win.

Lamberton jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning, as two-out base runners continued to give the Tigers trouble. A two-out walk followed by back-to-back singles plated the first run of the evening for the Long Sox. Springfield's defense helped Lamberton increase their lead in the top of the third. After working a one-out walk and following it with a base hit, the Tigers committed three errors allowing Lamberton to open up a 4-0 lead.

Springfield's offense kicked into gear in the bottom of the fourth. Brandon Wilhelmi started things with a single. Brady Schwab followed with a walk. A double-play erased Schwab, but moved Wilhelmi to third base. Marc Salazar picked up his second hit and first RBI with a base hit. Jim Eckstein drove in the second run for the home team when he smashed a double down the right field line, making the score 4-2. Miesen needed just four pitches to retire the Long Sox in the top of the fifth and the Tiger bats went right back to work. Matt Baier ripped a one-out single. Wilhelmi and Schwab followed with walks, knocking out Lamberton starter, Tyler Reiner. Colby Pack come on in relief and got the second out before Salazar came through again, tying the game with a two-run single.

The Tigers got things going again in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back one-out base hits from Marty Brandl and Chris Sturm. Baier reached base on a fielder's choice before Wilhelmi crushed a two-run double giving Springfield a 6-4 lead. Lamberton cut into the Springfield lead in the top of the seventh with a lead-off single, sacrifice bunt and a two-out double down the left field line by Matt Samyn. Pack kept the Tiger bats quiet during the seventh and eighth innings.

In the top of the ninth, Miesen hit the first batter. The Long Sox wasted no time moving him up with a sacrifice bunt. Springfield intentionally walked Colby Pack before Wilhelmi and Miesen switched battery positions. Brandon worked out of the jam by inducing a fielder's choice with the tying run being thrown out at the plate. He retired the final batter on a foul pop-up to first base.

The win is the Tiger's first victory over the Long Sox since the 2006 season when they swept the season series. Marc Salazar led the offense in his first game for the Tigers getting three big hits. Matt Baier and Brandon Wilhelmi each added two hits to the Springfield total, while Jim Eckstein, Ken Sather, Marty Brandl, and Chris Sturm contributed one hit each. Jake Miesen picked up the win in his first start of the season, going 8 1/3 innings. Wilhelmi secured the victory to earn a save. Springfield will travel to Hanska to take on the National Division leading Lakers on Sunday at 4:30pm. Come on over and enjoy some exciting Tiger baseball!


Linescore

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB
Lamberton 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 9 1 9
Springfield 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 0 x 6 11 3 7

Springfield Box

AB R H RBI BB SO
Baier, 3B 5 1 2 0 0 2
B. Wilhelmi, C/P 2 2 2 2 1 0 2B, SAC
Schwab, SS 1 1 0 0 2 1 HP
Fink, RF 4 0 0 0 0 1
Salazar, 1B 4 1 3 3 0 0
Eckstein, 2B 4 0 1 1 0 2 2B
Sather, CF 4 0 1 0 0 3
Brandl, DH 4 0 1 0 0 1
   Haseleu, PR 0 0 0 0 0 0
Miesen, P/C - - - - - -
Krebs, LF 2 0 0 0 0 2
   C. Sturm, LF 2 1 1 0 0 1
32 6 11 6 3 13
IP H R ER BB SO
Miesen (W, 1-1) 8 1/3 9 5 2 3 6
Wilhelmi (SV, 1)  2/3 0 0 0 0 0

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