Toledo, OH- The Toledo Mud Hens (71-73) topped the Louisville Bats (64-80), 3-1, on Wednesday, September 16, in a hard-fought pitchers’ duel. Jace Jung’s three-run shot in the third was all it took for Toledo to take the lead and hold it through the rest of the contest.
Jackson Wolf started on the mound for the Hens with a hitless opening frame. Louisville’s starting hurler, Kent Emanuel, came right back with the same.
After a leadoff single in the second, Wolf and the Hens' defense retired the next three Bats no problem. The pitching duel continued in the bottom half as the home team remained hitless through two.
Wolf got his first punch out in the third then a second immediately after. Scoring started in the bottom half when Andrew Navigato reached on a walk and Trei Cruz earned the first hit for the Hens. Jace Jung took advantage of the two Hens on base and smashed a long ball over the fences for a three-run advantage (3-0).
A third and fourth strikeout were cashed in for Wolf in the fourth as the lefty found his flow.
A string of three singles for Louisville in the fifth added its first and only run to the board. (3-1)
After 5.2 innings of work and five strikeouts, Wolf was replaced on the mound by righty, Nick Sandlin, to get the Hens out of a bases loaded jam. Sandlin did the job and ended the Bats at bat with no damage done, but Toledo could not add any to its number in the home half.
Sandlin struck out a pair and retired Louisville in order to open the seventh before Jack Little came out if the pen for the eighth. Little didn’t miss a beat and sent the Bats away with another hitless inning.
Tanner Rainey was the final arm on the bump for Toledo. After allowing a walk, the final three Bats were sent away, and the Hens walked away from game two with another win.
The Toledo Mud Hens are home again on Thursday, September 17, for game three vs. the Louisville Bats. First pitch is set for 6:35p.m. and the Hens look to add another win to their record.
Notables
J. Jung – 1/4, HR, 3RBI
J. Wolf – 5.2IP, 5H, R, ER, 2BB, 5K