Lincoln Smacks Four Homers in Win Over Lake Country

(Photo courtesy of Lake Country DockHounds)

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin-   Three Saltdogs players combined to hit four home runs, and the Lincoln Saltdogs defeated the Lake Country DockHounds, 9-6, Friday night at DockHounds Ball Park.  With the victory, Lincoln claimed the first game of the three-game weekend series against the leaders of the American Association’s East Division.

Lincoln (10-15) scored nine runs, off thirteen hits, committed three errors, and left six runners on base.  Lake Country (18-7) had six runs, with eight hits, committed no errors, and left eight runners on base.  The game took two hours and fifty-nine minutes and was played in front of 1,113 fans.

The Saltdogs started the scoring in the top of the first.  With two outs, Jake Hjelle singled off Lake Country starter Dominic Cancellieri.  Then, Jairo Pomares hits a two-run home run, to center field.  His fourth long ball of the season put Lincoln ahead, 2-0.

Lake Country responded in the bottom of the second.  With one out, Peter Zimmerman was hit by a Haden Erbe pitch.  Then, the DockHounds recorded three consecutive singles by Jack Blomgren, Drey Dirksen and Jake Snider, that last two drove in a run, each, to make it 2-2.  Then, Ripken Reyes knocked in a run with a ground out to second base, to put Lake Country ahead, 3-2.

Lincoln responded immediately in the top of the third.  Nick Shumpert led off the inning with a double.  Two batters later, Jake Hjelle singled.  Then, Jairo Pomares hit his second home run of the night, a three-run shot to center field, to put Lincoln back in front, 5-3.

The Saltdogs added another run in the top of the fourth.  With two outs, Jacob Morrow hit a 2-2 pitch from Cancellieri over the left field fence, for his first home run of the season.  The solo shot, put Lincoln up 6-3.

The DockHounds got a run back in the bottom of the fifth.  Dom Johnson led off the inning with a single.  Two batters later, Ryan Hernandez was intentionally walked.  Johnson stole third.  Then, Joshua Mears was walked.  Peter Zimmerman reached on a fielder’s choice, which scored Johnson, to make it a 6-4 score.

Lincoln grabbed the run right back.  In the top of the sixth, facing Lake Country reliever Chris Jefferson, with one out, Calyn Halvorson hit a solo home run to left field.  His second homer of the season made it a 7-4 Lincoln lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, facing Lincoln reliever David Shaw, Lake Country’s David Hernandez hit a solo home run to center field, to make it 7-5.

The Saltdogs added a pair of key insurance runs in the top of the ninth.  Facing DockHounds reliever Jacob Campbell, Lincoln’s Jacob Morrow led off the inning with a double.  Then, Nick Shumpert singled, and stole second base.  Cary Arbolida hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Morrow, to make it 8-5.  Shumpert stole third.  Jake Hjelle singled, then stole second.  A wild pitch scored Shumpert to make it 9-5.

In the bottom of the ninth, facing Lincoln’s Tyler Stasiowski with two outs, Ryan Hernandez hits his second home run of the season, and twelfth of the season, to make the score 9-6.  However, Stasiowski struck out Joshua Mears, looking, to end the game.

Lincoln starting pitcher Haden Erbe (2-1) earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up four runs, off six hits, struck out seven, and walked four.  Gabriel Jaramillo pitched 1.0 inning and walked one.  David Shaw worked 1.0 inning, gave up one run, off one hit, and struck out one.  Zac McCleve pitched 1.0 inning, stuck out one, and walked one.  Tyler Stasiowski worked 1.0 inning, yielding one run, off one hit, and struck out two.

Lake Country starter Dominic Cancellieri (2-3) took the loss, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up six runs, off six hits and struck out five.  Chris Jefferson pitched 2.0 innings, yielding one run, off three hits, struck out three, and walked one.  Rodrigo Benoit worked a clean eighth inning.  Jacob Campbell pitched 1.0 inning, giving up two runs, off two hits, struck out two and walked two.

Offensively for the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 2-for-5.  Cary Arbolida was 1-for-4 with an RBI.  Jake Hjelle went 3-for-4.  Jairo Pomares was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, plus a three-run home run, and five RBIs, total.  Calyn Halvorson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run.  Jacob Morrow was 3-for-4 with a solo home run.

For the DockHounds, Ripken Reyes was 0-for-5 with an RBI.  Dom Johnson was 2-for-4.  Ryan Hernandez was 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs.  Peter Zimmerman was 0-for-3 with an RBI.  Drey Dirksen went 2-for-4 and drove in one run.  Jake Snider went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Game two of the three-game weekend series is Saturday afternoon.  RHP Graham Edwards (1-1, 8.71 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP A.J. Block (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be on the mound for Lake Country.  First pitch will be 5:35 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.