Lincoln Offense Busts Out in Series Opening Win

(Photo courtesy of Tim Tushla, Sioux City Explorers)

Sioux City, Iowa-   The Lincoln Saltdogs put together their most complete offensive performance of the season in a 14-7 victory over the Sioux City Explorers, Friday night on Security National Bank Field at Lewis and Clark Park.  All nine of the Saltdogs starters recorded hits and Lincoln added four home runs to take the first game of the weekend three-game series.

Lincoln (2-6) scored fourteen runs off seventeen hits, with two errors, and stranded seven baserunners.  Sioux City (4-4) had seven runs with ten hits, committed no errors, and left eleven runners on base, in a game that lasted three hours and twenty-seven minutes, in front of 1,431 fans.

The Saltdogs began the scoring in the top of the first.  Cam Phelts led off the game with a bunt single, versus Explorers starting pitcher J.D. McCracken.  After Phelts stole second, Cael Chatham hit a two-run home run to right field, putting the Saltdogs in front, 2-0.

Sioux City responded in the bottom of the first.  With one out, Henry George drew a walk, against Lincoln starter Trey Jones.  Braulio Vasquez singled.  Then, a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third.  Two batters later, Dillon Tatum with a two-rbi single to left, to tie the game at 2-2.  Jackson Van De Brake walked.  Then, Zach Vooletich hit a two-rbi double, to put the Explorers in front, 4-2.  The next batter, Zane Denton singled, scoring Vooletich, to make it a 5-2 Sioux City lead.

After giving up five runs in the bottom of the first, Lincoln got all five of the runs back in the top of the second.  Ryan Grabosch led off the inning with a double.  Two batters later, Connor Begnieski walked.  Then, Paul Myro smacked an RBI single, scoring Grabosch, to make the score, 5-3.  Cam Phelts drew a walk.  Then, Cael Chatham hit a three-rbi double into the right field corner, to put Lincoln ahead, 6-5.  The next batter, Cary Arbolida, singled, scoring Chatham, to make it a 7-5 Lincoln advantage.

The Saltdogs extended the lead in the top of the fourth.  Facing Sioux City reliever Ryan Beaird, Cam Phelts reached on a one-out single, then stole second base.  Two batters later, Cary Arbolida singled, scoring Phelts, to make it an 8-5 Lincoln lead.

In the top of the fifth inning, Lincoln added two more runs.  Tanner O’Tremba led off the inning with a solo home run to left field.  Two batters later, Nick Shumpert singled, stole second and took third on a passed ball.  Then, Connor Begnieski singled, driving in Shumpert, to make it a 10-5 Lincoln lead.

Lincoln added on in the top of the sixth.  Facing Explorers reliever Max Charnin, Cael Chatham led off the inning with a walk.  Two batters later, Jairo Pomares hit a two-run home run to right field, to make the score 12-5.  Then, two batters later, Ryan Grabosch homered to left field, to make the score 13-5.

The Explorers chipped away at the Saltdogs’ lead in the bottom of the sixth.  With one out, facing Lincoln reliver Jeferson Figueroa, Zac Vooletich single, stole second and third and scored on an errant throw by Ryan Grabosch, to make the score 13-6.  Zane Denton walked, then Elliot Good singled.  The next batter, Austin Davis grounded out to first, scoring Denton, to make the score 13-7.

The Saltdogs added the final tally in the top of the ninth.  Facing Sioux City reliever Rob Hughes, Ryan Grabosch led off with a double.  Two batters later, Connor Begnieski doubled, scoring Grabosch, to make the final score 14-7.

Lincoln starter Trey Jones (1-1) earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up five runs, off six hits, struck out two and walked three.  Jeferson Figueroa pitched 0.2 innings, yielding two runs off two hits, and walked three.  Chandler Woolridge worked 1.1 innings, struck out one and walked two.  David Shaw pitched 1.0 inning, gave up one hit and walked two.  Zac McCleve pitched 1.0 inning, yielding one hit and struck out one.

For Sioux City, starter J.D. McCracken (0-1) took the loss, pitching 1.1 innings, giving up seven runs, off seven hits, struck out one and walked two.  Ryan Beaird pitched 3.1 innings, yielding three runs, off five hits and struck out three.  Max Charnin pitched 1.2 innings, gave up three runs, off two hits, struck out three and walked two.  Rob Hughes pitched 2.1 innings, gave up one run, off three hits, had four strikeouts, and walked one.

Offensively for the Saltdogs, Cam Phelts was 3-for-4.  Cael Chatham was 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and five RBIs.  Cary Arbolida was 2-for-6 with two runs batted in.  Jairo Pomares went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run.  Tanner O’Tremba was 1-for-5 with a solo home run.  Ryan Grabosch went 3-for-5 with a solo home run.   Connor Begnieski was 2-for-4 and knocked in two runs.  Paul Myro was 1-for-4 with a run batted in.

For the Explorers, Austin Davis was 0-for-5 with an RBI.  Braulio Vasquez went 2-for-3.  Dillon Tatum was 1-for-3 and drove in two runs.  Zac Vooletich was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.  Zane Denton was 1-for-2 and drove home one run.

Game two of the three-game series is Saturday night on Security National Bank Field, at Lewis and Clark Park.  RHP Haden Erbe (0-1, 7.20 ERA) will be on the mound for Lincoln.  For Sioux City, RHP Peniel Otano (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will pitch for the Explorers.  First pitch will be 6:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM and 1240 AM.  Live video will stream at:  www.aabaseball.tv.

The Saltdogs will return to Haymarket Park, this Monday, on Memorial Day, when they begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Monarchs.  First pitch on Monday night will be 6:35 p.m.  Monday’s game is MINI & MILITARY MONDAY! Fans 12 and under and all military personnel receive Buy One-Get One Free Tickets.  It’s also Saltdogs Guaranteed Win Night.  If the Saltdogs don’t win the 5/25 game, fans may exchange their ticket at the box office for a FREE ticket of equal or lesser value to the 5/26 home game.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, go to:  www.saltdogs.com.