by Aaron Torres
CLARINDA, IA- In his last start in Canada, Thomas Hoenshell had a no-hitter into the 7th inning, and it still wasn’t enough, as the sophomore from Cypress College took a hard luck 1-0 loss to the Kelowna Falcons. On Tuesday Hoenshell would not be denied, pitching a complete game, and working through a 9th inning jam to lead the Goldpanners to a 2-1 victory.Despite cruising through most of the game, Hoenshell got little run support until late. The Goldpanners didn’t score their first run until the 6th, and even that was without a hit.
David Duetchman started the inning by reaching on a walk; it was just the Goldpanners third base runner of the game. He then proceeded to steal second and third base, before being plated by a Mykal Stokes sacrifice fly, scoring the first run of the game.
The Goldpanners added one more run in the top of the next inning, courtesy of their first hit. Travis Andersen led off the inning off with a single, before advancing to second on a wild pitch. He then got to third on a Josh Ashenbrenner groundout and scored when Joe Pratt grounded to shortstop Kelson Brown. It would be an important second run, as the A’s would put together a 9th inning rally.
Just like in Kelowna, Hoenshell worked late into the game, but gave up singles to Greg Najac and Steve Sultzbaugh to start the bottom of the 9th inning. Next up to the plate was Steve Hindman, and the designated hitter put down a sacrifice bunt that Ashenbrenner couldn’t field cleanly, forcing the Goldpanners into a bases loaded jam.But to manager Jim Dietz’s credit, he allowed his pitcher to work through the inning, which he did. Hoenshell struck out Stuart Smith, before allowing a sacrifice fly to Mick Gaston, to make the score 2-1.
With the score down to one run, Dietz continued to show confidence in his pitcher, and Hoenshell got Brown to ground out to end the game and secure a Goldpanners victory.
On the evening, Hoenshell scattered six hits over the nine innings, striking out seven. It was his second complete game of the season, as he improved his record to 2-1, and lowered his ERA to 1.12.
The Goldpanners will be back in action Wednesday, when they play their second game against Clarinda. Game-time is set for 7 p.m. and can be heard right here on www.goldpanners.com.
by Aaron Torres
CLARINDA, IA- What a wacky two days it was in Clarinda, IA for the Midnight Sun Goldpanners.
On Tuesday they needed just two hits against the Clarinda A’s to defeat their hosts 2-1. Thursday, the Goldpanners scored 10 runs in the final two innings, and still had to hold off a furious A’s rally to seal the victory.
Although it took the Goldpanners until the 8th inning to score Wednesday, they took full advantage, plating six runs in the 8th, courtesy of just two hits. The highlight was a Joe Pratt pinch hit RBI single. During the 8th, there were five walks, a hit batter and a fielders choice as well as the previously mentioned two hits. In all it led to six Goldpanners runs.
The visitors added four more in the 9th inning, this time courtesy of some good hitting. Mykal Stokes started the hit parade with a lead-off triple off of Chris Plasencia, the fifth Clarinda pitcher of the game. Stokes came around to score on the very next play, courtesy of an Eric Lane RBI single.
After Lane reached, Travis Andersen got his second hit of the game, a single, advancing Lane to third in the process. Josh Ashenbrenner was the very next batter, and he cleared the bases with a triple of his own. After he scored later in the inning the Goldpanners had what appeared to be a comfortable 10-3 lead, but even that wouldn’t last for long.
Tim Culligan started off the bottom of the 9th on the mound, giving up a walk and a hit, before getting Stuart Smith to pop up for the first out of the inning. He was then replaced by Derek Speigner. Speigner, who’s been so effective all season, struggled, giving up a hit, to score one, followed by an RBI groundout. Three more hits after that, made the score 10-7, and brought the game tying run to the plate in Seve Alvarez.
With the game tight, Speigner was able to stay under control however, getting Alvarez to strike out, and seal the Goldpanners victory.
In the wacky game, Stephen Foster got the win for the Goldpanners, pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. The losing pitcher was Clarinda’s Danny Strable, who was credited with all six 8th inning runs, all of which were earned.
The win also signified a very important milestone, as Coach Jim Dietz recorded his 496th victory for the Goldpanners, as the legendary field general continues to creep his way toward 500 career wins.
After traveling Thursday morning, the Goldpanners will be back in action later in the afternoon, when they go to Chillocothe, MO to take on the Chillocothe Mudcats. Game-time is set for 7 p.m., with full coverage coming on www.goldpanners.com.
