Bombers Overwhelm Woodchucks in Second-Half Opener
BATTLE CREEK, MI – The Woodchucks started their second half on a sour note Monday, suffering a lopsided 21-7 defeat to the Battle Creek Bombers.
The hometown Bombers jumped on top with an unearned run in the bottom of the first before adding another in the bottom of the fourth.
That was all they would muster against starter Osvaldo Mendez, who worked three and two-thirds innings and struck out two while issuing three walks.
Reliever Geo Camfield stranded the bases-loaded jam that he inherited, setting up a Woodchuck rally in the top of the fifth.
After Jacob Burke was hit by a pitch, Gino Groover singled and Tommy Delgado walked. A sacrifice fly from Colton Vincent put the Chucks on the board before Jordan Schaffer knocked in another. A base hit RBI from Tyler Kehoe put the visitors on top, 4-2.
But in the bottom half, Battle Creek unleashed a seven-run rally. Twelve batters came to the plate and seven recorded hits, giving the Bombers a lead they would not relinquish. Camfield was charged with his second loss of the season.
Both teams added on late offense in spurts. Georgia Tech’s Stephen Reid homered in his debut at-bat with the Woodchucks. He finished 2-for-2 on the evening after pinch-hitting in the eighth inning.
The Bombers scored four runs in the seventh and eight in the eighth, including their last four against position player Antonio Valdez, who is the first true position player to pitch for the Chucks this season.
The defeat is the most lopsided for the Woodchucks this season.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
