Saltdogs Open Weekend Series With a Victory

Lincoln, Nebraska- After playing a three-game series in the middle of the week against the Kane County Cougars, on the road, the Lincoln Saltdogs returned home to open another series with their East Division opponents, Friday night.  Lincoln defeated Kane County 12-6, at Haymarket Park.  Foster Pace earned the win.  Cary Arbolida homered while Calyn Halvorson and Griffin Everitt drove in three runs apiece.

Lincoln (36-42) scored twelve runs, with nine hits, had no errors, and left seven runners on base.  Kane County (42-34) had six runs, off eight hits, committed three errors, and stranded five base runners.  Friday night’s game lasted two hours and fifty-four minutes and was played in front of 4,050 fans.

Neither team scored in the first three innings.  Then, Lincoln grabbed the first lead in the bottom of the fourth.  Facing Kane County starter Tommy Kane, Jairo Pomares reached on a fielding error by Zane Spinn at second base. Three batters later, Connor Bagnieski singled.  Then, Calyn Halvorson doubled to the warning track in center field, scoring Pomares, to make it 1-0.  The next batter, Griffin Everitt, hit a triple into the right field corner, scoring Bagnieski and Halvorson, to make it 3-0.  A wild pitch brought home Everitt to make it a 4-0 Lincoln lead.

The Saltdogs extended their advantage in the bottom of the fifth, by sending ten batters to the plate.  Cam Phelts led off the inning with a walk, then stole second, and third.  Two batters later, Jairo Pomares grounded out to second, scoring Phelts, to make it 5-0.  The next batter, Cary Arbolida, hit an opposite field, solo home run, to right.  His twelfth home run of the season made it a 6-0 Lincoln lead.  Jake Hjelle and Connor Bagnieski drew back-to-back walks.  Then, Calyn Halvorson doubled, driving home Hjelle and Bagnieski, to make the score 8-0.  Griffin Everitt singled, bringing in Halvorson to put the Saltdogs ahead, 9-0.

Kane County battled back, however, by sending eleven batters to the plate in the top of the sixth.  Facing Lincoln starter Foster Pace, with one out, Jairus Richards singled.  Then, Matt Bottcher and Todd Lott hit back-to-back singles.  The next batter, Charles Mack, singled, scoring Richards.  Sam Dexter and Zane Spinn drew back-to-back bases loaded walks, to make the score, 9-3.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought Harold Cortijo in, to pitch.  Cooper Weiss singled, scoring Mack.  Then, George Bilecki reached on a fielder’s choice, as Cooper Weiss was forced out at second.  On the play, Dexter scored.  Then, Armond Upshaw singled, bringing home Spinn, to make the score 9-6.

That is as close as the Cougars would get, though.  Plus, Lincoln added three runs in the bottom of the eighth.  Facing reliever Jake Gozzo, Paul Myro IV led off with a walk. Cam Phelts singled, putting runners at the corners.  Phelts stole second, his third of the game, and franchise record 47^th of the season.  With the infield pulled in, Nick Shumpert hit a one-hopper to Sam Dexter at shortstop, who threw home to try and retire Myro IV at the plate.  The throw was high and Myro IV, plus Phelts scored.  Then, Jairo Pomares singled, scoring Shumpert to make it 12-6, which would be the final score.

Lincoln starting pitcher Foster Pace (4-3) earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings, giving up six runs, off six hits, struck out six and walked two.  Harold Cortijo worked 0.2 innings, yielding two hits and struck out one.  Tyler Stasiowski pitched 1.0 inning and struck out two.  Gabriel Jaramillo threw 1.0 inning and struck out one.  Zac McCleve pitched a clean ninth inning.

Cougars’ starter Tommy Kane (0-1) took the loss, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up nine runs, five earned, off six hits, struck out four and walked five.  Casey Crosby worked 2.0 innings and struck out one.  Jake Gozzo threw 1.0 inning, gave up three runs, one earned, off three hits, struck out two and walked one.

Offensively for the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 0-for-5 with an RBI.  Jairo Pomares was 1-for-2 and drove in two runs.  Cary Arbolida was 1-for-4 with a solo home run.  Connor Bagnieski was 2-for-4.  Calyn Halvorson went 2-for-5 with three runs batted in.  Griffin Everitt was 2-for-3 and drove home three runs.

For Kane County, Armond Upshaw was 1-for-5 with an RBI.  Todd Lott was 2-for-4.  Charles Mack was 2-for-4 with one run batted in.  Sam Dexter was 0-for-2 and drove in one run.  Zane Spinn was 0-for-3 with one RBI.  Cooper Weiss went 1-for-4 and batted in one run.  George Bilecki was 0-for-4 with one run batted in.

Game two of the three-game series is Saturday.  RHP Jacob Hughes (4-2. 5.37 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  Kane County has not announced its starter, yet.  The first pitch at Haymarket Park will be 6:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

Saturday’s game is Saltdogs Pickleball Paddle Giveaway sponsored by Empire Netting & Fence.  Also, the “Local Celebrity Softball Game” will take place during the day with Media, Lincoln Police Department, and Lincoln Fire & Rescue.  It is also First Responders Appreciation Night sponsored by Bud Light & Lincoln First Responders Foundation.  First Responders get a Buy One/Get One Free Ticket with their ID.  Plus, there is a Jersey Auction to benefit the Lincoln First Responders Foundation.  Then, during the game, fans may purchase $4 Select Tall Boys.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, go to:  www.saltdogs.com.