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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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Blue Thunder drop fourth game in a row NORTHWOODS LEAGUE BASEBALL By JOE LINDHOLM Sports Writer Jared McDonald had two hits, including a double, and a run and the Brainerd Blue Thunder received seven and 2-3 innings of strong pitching from starter Michael Lueck, but It wasn't enough as the Eau Claire Express (1-2) scored seven runs in the last three innings to send the Blue Thunder (0-4) to a 8-3 defeat in Northwoods League play Monday.
Brainerd hitters pounded out nine hits. The Express matched that number with nine hits of their own, led by clean-up hitter Joe Bonfe, who went 3-4 with a double and a home run.
"I was seeing the ball really well and hitting it hard," said Bonfe. "I thought that one to center (double) was going out but 406 with a wood bat was pretty hard. It's a big ballpark."
Lueck (1-5) was the hard luck loser as he struck out five and walked two. Darryl Stringfield relieved Lueck in the middle of the eighth inning and gave up three runs on two hits.
Eau Claire 8, Blue Thunder 3
Key: A two-run triple by Ryan O'Sullivan scored the go-ahead runs for Eau Claire in the top of the seventh inning
Overall: Brd 0-4, EC 1-2
Next: Brainerd vs. Eau Claire at Mills Field 1:35 p.m. Tuesday
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Express starter Robert Kilcrease (3-2) got the victory going eight innings and striking out five batters while walking three. He was also helped out by some great defense by the Eau Claire infielders.
"I felt good all night. I did get into a jam in the fourth inning," said Kilcrease. "Coach came back and told me to stay focused and I did. We have a good outfield out there. You know they are going to make the plays as well as the infield."
The Blue Thunder were able to take the early lead scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning. Right fielder Curtis Restko led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a ground out by Devon Ramirez.
Greg Garcia got a hit to put runners on first and third before Kyle Sisney came through with a base hit.
Brainerd added two more runs in the fourth inning. McDonald led off with a double into the right field corner and scored on a base hit by Michael Gedman. Devon Ramirez knocked in Gedman later for a 3-0 Blue Thunder lead.
Bonfe hit a towering two-out homer to left field in the sixth to make the score 3-1. The Express would have success with the two out hit all evening scoring seven runs with two outs.
"We have been struggling to get runs so that is kind of a new thing for us," said Bonfe. "We have just been trying to score runs when we can and eventually they will come. It helped us out today."
Two of those runs would tie the game in the seventh inning. Kyle Holloway led off the inning for the Express with a base hit. Landis Ware got on base via a one out error. With two outs Brooks Pinckard got the key base hit driving in two runs.
In the eighth inning the Blue Thunder were one out away from getting out of the inning when Ryan O'Sullivan hit a triple to left field scoring two runs.
Eau Claire 000 001 223 - 8 9 1
Brainerd 001 200 000 - 3 9 2
Eau Claire: Robert Kilcrease, Ryan Otto (9) and Kyle Holloway.
Brainerd: Michael Lueck, Darryl Stringfield, Matt DeGagne and Tim Winslow.
WP: Kilcrease (3-2). LP: Lueck (1-5).
2B: EC-Joe Bonfe, Holloway; Brd-Jared McDonald, Michael Gedman
3B: EC-Kole Calhoun, Ryan O'Sullivan
HR: EC-Bonfe
SB: EC-Bonfe
S: Brd-Devon Ramirez
RBIs: EC-Brooks Pinckard 2, Calhoun, Bonfe, O'Sullivan 2; Brd-Kyle Sisney, Gedman , Ramirez
DP: EC 2
T: 2:30
A: 303
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