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Bats split with Beetles
By Ryan Sibinski
The Saint Cloud River Bats split a double header on Tuesday night in Alexandria versus the Beetles. Saint Cloud lost a close one in the first game 8-6, but came back in the second game for a 7-5 win.
The first game of the double-header was originally scheduled for July 28th, but was postponed due to thunderstorms. The River Bats were the home team in game one and away in the second. Both games were shortened to seven innings.
It looked like an easy victory for Alexandria in game one as they carried a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bats started to rally as Jason Jaramillo's base hit drove in Joe Gaetti from second base. It was the first of three straight singles off the Beetles' starting pitcher.
Saint Cloud Tech graduate Ryan Morris entered the game for the Beetles and walked one and allowed another hit as the River Bats tallied up four more runs to tie the game at 6-6. Jake Smith, Dustin Atkinson, Joe Pietro and Gaitti all reached base and scored.
The River Bats would threaten to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning but did not produce the clutch hit needed to end the game.
For the second night in a row, the River Bats would play extra innings. They have played 21 straight days, and five games in the past three days.
"We play a long summer; more games than any summer collegiate league in the nation, but the guys may come out a little banged up and tired still giving 100 percent each game," said manager Ron Rakowski of the intense schedule.
Two costly fielding mistakes allowed the Beetles to take a two-run lead at the top of the eighth inning. The Bats were unable to come back in the bottom of the eighth this time and take a loss in the first game 8-6.
After losing game one, River Bats' players and fans knew the second game was of great importance, as teams of the North Division battle for the last playoff spot with only seven games remaining.
"The guys were real motivated (to win the second game) because we felt like we should have won that first game. They were fired up and it showed by the runs that were scored early in game two," Rakowski said.
St. Cloud got onto the scoreboard in the first inning by loading the bases and getting one run across the plate.
The River Bats added to their lead in the second inning aided by a triple off the bat of catcher Chris Denove. The River Bats chalked up three runs to make the score 4-0 after two innings.
Jake Smith hit an RBI single to right in the top of the fourth, scoring Joe Gaetti from second base, making the score 5-0.
Saint Cloud starter Matt Petrusek was pitching a great game through five innings allowing only one run off three hits, but struggled in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on second and third, he allowed a single to right, which scored two. He was able to hold it together though, striking out two Beetles to get out of the jam.
Going into the top of the final inning with a 5-4 lead, St. Cloud was in need of some runs to insure the victory. Second baseman Dustin Atkinson delivered with a huge two-run homer to make the score 7-4. It was Atkinson's fourth home run of the season and gave Petrusek the cushion he needed in the bottom of the seventh to get the complete game win with the final score 7-5.
St. Cloud's record is now at 13-12 in the second half of the season and 29-28 overall. They are focusing their attention on finishing in front of Mankato (14-12; 30-27) to get the final playoff bid.
"The guys have been mustering up energy all year for this. We think we are peaking just at the right time." Rakowski said about the final stretch of the season.
The River Bats are 4-4 versus the Mankato Moon Dogs this year. They play four of the remaining seven games against them starting with a two-game series at home Wednesday night.
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