The Bluejays got on the winning track in South Central League play this past Sunday, June 22 at home, snagging a 10-6 victory from Freeman. The win over the Black Sox broke a string of three tough losses for the Jays going back to June 5.
Freeman jumped out to the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. But the Jays blew the game open when it was their turn, adding their own 6 runs in the bottom of the inning thanks in part to a oneout standup double by Andy Knapp that drove in three runs.
It all started with Seth Wiebelhaus reaching on an opening walk and then stealing second. Justin Potts hit a hard line drive and reached on an error, scoring Wiebelhaus and getting the Bluejays on the board. Another Jays walk and a sacrifice fly by Zach Hegge evened up the score 2-2. Colton Schieffer singled and Tyler Koch walked. Cayden Wavrunek then singled to load the bases for Knapp. So, in a hard double to left field, Knapp tallied up 3 RBIs and pushed the Jays ahead for good, 6-2.
In the top of the fourth, Freeman tacked on a run from an error, but the Jays answered when Justin Potts walked and James Kaiser slapped a triple to right field to score Potts. Zach Hegge’s sacrifice fly scored Kaiser, extending the Jay’s lead to 8-3.
Freeman added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, and two more in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough, as the Jays strung out additional runs in the fifth and eighth innings as well to secure the crucial league win.
Capp Bengston got the win from the mound for the Jays, pitching three and one third innings of middle relief, allowing three runs and striking out four. Although the Black Sox outhit the Jays, 12 hits to 9, the Knapp double and subsequent runs got the Jays into victory lane.
Last Sunday, June 15, the Jays lost to Wynot, 4-1, keeping them in the bottom half of SCL standings. Up next for the Jays is a Saturday, June 28 non-league away matchup against the Dimock Emery Raptors. On Sunday, June 29, the Jays are home to take on the Mad Frogs of Menno, setting up the big showdown on Thursday, July 3 against Wynot, with fireworks following the game.
In the SCL, Yankton stays on top of the heap, followed by Tabor and Wynot.