Longhorns Top Tigers In Regular Season Finale

7/23/10

The Tigers have struggled in one-run games this season. They entered Friday night's final regular season game with a 2-10 record in such contests. It came as no surprise that the match-up against Stark came down to a one-run difference, with Springfield winding up on the short end of a 7-6 score.

The Tigers got on the board against Stark starter Brett Ubl in the top of the first. Zach Bisel reached on an error and came around to score via two wild pitches and a groundout.

A lead-off base hit by Matt Baier got things going for the visitors in the top of the second. Baier stole second and came in on a base hit by Marty Brandl, giving Springfield a 2-0 lead.

Jordan Milbrath drew a one-out walk in the top of the third. He stole second and advanced to third when the throw went into centerfield. Bob Fink lifted a sacrifice fly to center allowing Milbrath to score.

Tiger pitcher Alex Frank took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the third, but the Longhorns put together four hits to plate two runs and get within one, 3-2.

Fink started a two-out rally for Springfield in the top of the fifth when he worked a base on balls. Brady Schwab followed with a double, giving the Tigers runners at second and third. Baier was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A Stark error allowed Fink to score and push their lead back to two, 4-2.

Frank got into big trouble in the bottom of the inning, allowing six of the first seven batters to reach. He got out of the bases-loaded jam, allowing just three runs, when he coaxed a 1-2-3 double-play to end the inning.

Brady Schwab took over on the mound in the bottom of the sixth. He struggled a bit with his control, walking two in the inning. The only hit he allowed came when Bob Schmid launched a two-run homer to put Stark up 7-4.

Joey Wahl came on in relief for the Longhorns in the seventh. The Tigers took advantage of a Baier single, along with two Stark errors to cut the lead to one, 7-6.

Schwab settled in to face just seven batters over his final two innings of work, with the only base runner coming via a Springfield error. The Tigers had chances to tie the game in the eighth and ninth innings, but stranded a total of three runners in yet another one run loss, their eleventh of the season.

Matt Baier accounted for three of Springfield's six hits. Brady Schwab added two, while Marty Brandl had one. Brett Ubl earned the win for Stark, going six innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits, while striking out eight. Alex Frank's record dropped to 1-7 on the year, as he took the loss, working five innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. Joey Wahl earned a save for the Longhorns, surrendering two unearned runs, while working the final three innings of the ballgame.

Springfield ends the regular season at 9-19 overall and 6-16 in the Tomahawk East. That record places them fourth in the National Division and sets up a date with the New Ulm Brewers in a best of three series beginning on Friday, July 30 in New Ulm. Everyone is back to 0-0 and Springfield will look to put the tough losses from the regular season behind them as they begin the second season. See you at the ballpark!


Linescore

123456789RHELOB
Springfield11101020066311
Stark00203200x78510

Springfield Box

ABRHRBIBBSO 
Bisel, 2B/C410011 
Milbrath, CF310012HP
B. Fink, RF210100SAC
   Beyer, RF100001 
Schwab, C/P5120002B
Baier, SS423000HP
Salazar, 1B400001HP
C. Sturm, LF500002 
Brandl, DH501102 
Frank, P/2B------ 
Nachreiner, 3B300012 
 36662311 
        
 IPHRERBBSO 
Frank (L, 1-7)5 75541 
Schwab3 12221

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