Lake Country Long Balls Too Much For Lincoln

(Photo courtesy of Lake Country DockHounds)

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin-   Lake Country defeated Lincoln, 8-3, Saturday night in American Association Baseball action, at DockHounds Ball Park.  Ryan Hernandez hit a grand slam, and Dom Johnson added a two-run homer to lead Lake Country over the Saltdogs.

Lake Country (19-7) scored eight runs, off five hits, committed one error, and left four runners on base.  Lincoln (10-16) plated three runs, with eight hits, had no errors, and left seven runners on base.  Saturday night’s game lasted two hours and twenty-six minutes and was played in front of 1,686 fans.

Lincoln started the scoring in the top of the first.  Facing Lake Country starter A.J. Block, Nick Shumpert led off the inning with a solo home run to center field.  Shumpert’s first home run of the season made it a 1-0 Lincoln lead.

The DockHounds responded in the bottom of the first.  Against Lincoln starter Graham Edwards, Ripken Reyes led off the inning with a single.  Dom Johnson was hit by a pitch.  Then, Ray Zuberer drew a walk, to load the bases.  The next batter, Ryan Hernandez, hit a grand slam home run, to center field, to make it a 4-1 Lake Country lead.

The Saltdogs got a run back in the top of the third.  Paul Myro led off the inning with a single.  Then, Jacob Morrow singled, putting runners at first and second.  Morrow stole second, and on the play, Myro sprinted home, to make the score, 4-2.

Lake Country extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth.  Ripken Reyes led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch.  Then, Dom Johnson hit a two-run home run to right-center field, to make it a 6-2 DockHounds lead.

The DockHounds added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh.  Facing Lincoln reliever Cael Chatham, Dom Johnson was hit by a pitch, then took second on a wild pitch.  Ray Zuberer singled, to put runners at first and third.  Then, Ryan Hernandez drew a walk, to load the bases.  The next batter, Joshua Mears, hit a single to left, scoring Johnson and Zuberer, to make it an 8-2, Lake Country lead.

The Saltdogs plated a run in the top of the eighth.  With one out, facing relief pitcher Brody Rodning, Jairo Pomares drew a walk.  Two batters later, Jack Dragum doubled off the center field wall, scoring Pomares, to make the score, 8-3, which would turn out to be the final.

Lake Country starting pitcher A.J. Block threw 3.0 innings, giving up two runs, off three hits, and struck out six.  Kelvan Pilot (2-0) earned the win, in relief, pitching 4.1 innings, giving up four hits, struck out three, and walked two.  Brody Rodning pitched 0.2 innings, yielding one run, off one hit, struck out one, and walked one.  Alan Zhan-Carter pitched 1.0 inning and walked one.

Lincoln starter Graham Edwards (1-2) took the loss, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up six runs, off three hits, struck out seven, and walked three.  Cael Chatham pitched 1.0 inning, yielding two runs, off two hits, struck out two, and walked one.  Jack Hill worked a clean eighth inning.

Offensively for the DockHounds, Dom Johnso was 1-for-2 with a two-run home run.  Ryan Hernandez was 1-for-3 with a grand slam home run.  Joshua Mears went 1-for-3 with two runs batted in.

For the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 1-for-4 with a solo home run.  Jack Dragum was 1-for-4 with an RBI.  Jacob Morrow went 2-for-4.

The rubber game of the three-game series will be Sunday afternoon at DockHounds Ball Park.  LHP Ryan Rembisz (1-3, 4.03 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  RHP Trey Riley (1-1, 6.27 ERA) will be on the mound for the DockHounds.  First pitch will be 1:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

The Saltdogs next home game will be Tuesday, June 16^th, when they host the Winnipeg Goldeyes, at 6:35 p.m.  That evening will be TRIPLE PLAY TUESDAY! sponsored by Celerion.  Fans may donate one new stuffed animal or blanket for the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center and receive a FREE General Admission ticket.  It will also be Taco Tuesday where fans can purchase two tacos for $6.  Also, there will be $2 OFF popcorn, waffle cones, lemonade, and limeade.  For tickets, merchandise, and more information, visit:  www.saltdogs.com.