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| Vander Ark |
After trailing most of the game, the Bobcats evened the score at-3-3 in the eighth and pulled ahead 4-3 in the next inning. But closer Matt Vollenweider, who came in for the last out of the Pirate eighth, couldn't hold the lead, allowing Tradewater to battle back, sending the game into extra innings.
It appeared for a moment, though, that the Pirates had walked away with a 5-4 win off Vollenwieder. With the bases full and two out in the last frame of a 4-4 game, an infield grounder by George Kalousek seemingly moved the winning run across the plate with a single. However, the field umpire ruled the throw to first on the play was in time despite protest from the Pirates that the throw had pulled Marion's first baseman off the bag.
The call allowed the Bobcats new life, which they took advantage of with four runs in the visitor's half of the 10th. After Taylor Banks led off with a double, two quick outs seemed to have any rally the Bobcats may have been putting together. However, A.J. Dokey reached on walk followed by a game-winning RBI single by Landon Weitekamp. Cameron Chestnut followed with another single to load the bases for Kyle Vander Ark, who came through with a two-RBI single. Chestnut would later score on a wild pitch for the fourth run and final run of the inning.
Vollenweider threw the last of the 10th, allowing the first two batter to reach, but he left them stranded to earn the win and even his record to 1-1 with 10 saves.
For the Bobcats, two new names figured big in the game. Ian Creagor threw seven innings in his first start for Marion, allowing only four hits and one earned run. Mike Lockett, who came in to run for Banks after his lead-off double in the top of the 10th, scored the winning run.
At the plate, the Bobcats mounted 12 hits. Vander Ark was a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI. Chestnut was also 2-for-2, scoring a run. Cody Schmitt, Banks and Desmond Roberts each added two hits. Weitekamp and Dokey accounted for the other two hits.
Click here for box score.
Owensboro 11, Fulton 7
The Oilers slowed the runaway Railroaders with an 11-7 win Saturday, pulling to within a half-game of the league-leaders. Owensboro ended the night in third place, though, just percentage points behind the Bobcats who also rest at a half-game out of first.
