06/20/2024 11:10 PM -
Both teams put up absurd amount of offense, but the Northwest Indiana Oilmen fell to the Griffith Generals 17-13 on Thursday. The Griffith Generals collected 18 hits, while the Northwest Indiana Oilmen had 12.
Tge Griffith Generals got on the board in the top of the first inning after Tripp Davis singled, Isaiah Thompson scored after tagging up, and the Oilmen committed an error, each scoring one run.
The Griffith Generals extended their early lead with three runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI singles by Angel Ramirez and Graham Gonzales.
The Oilmen scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ryan Henschel doubled, scoring one run, Aj Taylor doubled, scoring two runs, Ethan Ganz singled, scoring one run, and Aidan Thaxton drew a walk, scoring one run.
The Oilmen scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the eighth inning. Aidan Thaxton was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Emmanuel Scott singled, scoring two runs, and Quinn Flanagan singled, scoring two runs.
The Oilmen were able to get out of a bases loaded jam in the 9th inning thanks to a highlight reel play in center by Ryan Henschel. He laid out for a ball and gave the Oilmen a chance to stay in the game.
The Griffith Generals flipped the game on its head in the top of the tenth, scoring five runs on four hits to take a 17-12 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Ramirez that drove in one.
Thomas Haggerty stepped on the hill first for the Oilmen. He allowed eight hits and nine runs (six earned) over three and one-third innings, striking out five and walking four. Draza Dupor started on the hill for the Generals. The right-handed pitcher allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) over five and one-third innings, striking out six and walking one.
The Oilmen accumulated 12 hits in the game. Henschel, Taylor, Ganz, and James Denten each collected two hits for Northwest Indiana Oilmen. Flanagan, Henschel, Taylor, and Thaxton each drove in two runs for the squad. Johnny Wendling led the Oilmen with three walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, amassing nine walks for the game.
The Griffith Generals accumulated 18 hits in the game. Isaiah Thompson provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Griffith Generals with three runs batted in. He went 4-for-6 on the day. Thompson and Ramirez each collected four hits for the Griffith Generals. Cole Hockman, Horacio Cabrales, Gonzales, and Davis each collected multiple hits for the Griffith Generals. The Griffith Generals had a strong eye at the plate, collecting seven walks for the game. Braylon Holland and Yashion Boswell led the team with two walks each. Ramirez stole four bases. The Griffith Generals stole five bases in the game.
Ryan Henschel was selected as the White Castle Player of the Game for his effort in the game. Henschel went 2-5 today with a double and a walk, and two RBI. He made a marvelous play in the center field that allowed the Oilmen to stay in this game.
Coach Tyler Zunkel was available for comment after the game. He shared his disappointment that the Oilmen came up short in the slugfest. "I don't think we got the start we wanted today, you could tell from the start Tommy Haggerty was a little off today, he left the ball down the middle of the plate a little too much, and we didn't make the plays. I mean, we made five errors and even that feels a little generous. We have to lock it up defensively". Zunkel also noted that timely hitting was an issue. "Even though we scored 13 runs tonight it felt like there were too many times where guys were going up with runners on third and less than two outs and we didn't show up". Zunkel also noted how the outfield and their range has kept the team in games, and that the defensive woes can be improved. "The outfield defense is solid. No complaints about the outfield. The issue today was the infield, not being able to read their hop and get that momentum towards first base so we aren't making bad throws but I think it was a good reminder to some of these guys that they are human and can be beat, but at the same time they know how talented we are. We just have to make the routine plays and it will all work out". The final note from Zunkel was about focusing on what they can do to come back and win tomorrow. "We have to have someone step up and really want to be that guy in the 8th and 9th inning. I don't think it is anything they do that I am going to take notes from but it is definitely us. The only people beating us right now are ourselves".
The Oilmen welcome the Griffith Generals on Friday for their next game, a rematch scheduled for a start time at 7:10pm.
