LORAIN – The Lorain County Ironmen and the Richmond RiverRats split the seven inning doubleheader that featured great offensive exhibitions by both teams. In the first game, Richmond got the best of Lorain County, winning 7-6. The Ironmen rebounded scoring seven runs in the second game, winning 7-2.
‘I figured it was a matter of time before we strung some hits together to score some runs,’ Ironmen manager Joe Rhomberg said. ‘Unfortunately the three errors in the first game… it really set us back.’
The three errors in the first game led to two big innings by the RiverRats that ultimately helped them win the game.
In the sixth inning Richmond’s Jake Hand flew out to right field for the second out of the inning with runners on first and second. However, a walk drawn by Luke Cuerton loaded the bases and Lorain County (14-22) pitcher Jamie MacLean did not have the final out in him when Richmond’s Zach Fairchild stepped to the plate.
Fairchild hit a 2-2 pitch up the third base line for a double to clear the base, giving the RiverRats, scoring Justin Paulsen, Kyle Jackson and Luke Cuerton to put Richmond up a 7-3.
Paulsen reached base safely to begin the inning after an error by Ironmen first basemen Andrew Gronski.
Despite not having a hit since the second inning, the Ironmen managed to make a comeback in the top of seventh with back-to-back singles by leadoff hitter Cody Semler and Nate Langhals.
RiverRats reliever Matt Brankle walked Lucas Raley to load the bases, and Gronski delivered with an RBI single to left to trim the River Rats lead, 7-4, while leaving the bases loaded.
A sac fly by Tyler Bires brought Langhals in to make the score 7-5, and Raley scored when Richmond first baseman Paulsen couldn’t hold onto a throw, allowing Billy Salem to reach base, cutting the River Rats lead to one, 7-6.
With runners on second and third, catcher Lou Peterlin struck out to end the Ironmen rally and the game.
The Ironmen had been playing catch-up the entire game after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning. Lorain County managed to grab a brief lead in the second, plating three runs – only one of which was earned – for a 3-2 lead.
In the second game of the doubleheader, an offensive outburst by Lorain County occurred the third inning.
Trailing 1-0 after an RBI double by Richmond’s Joe Schrimpf in the top of the third, the Ironmen responded with five runs in the bottom half of the inning.
With the game tied at one after an RBI single by Anthony Bova, two batters later with runners on first and second, Raley laced a two-run double down the first base line, giving the Ironmen a 3-1 advantage.
Emody followed, reaching first on a throwing error at shortstop by Schrimpf, scoring Raley. Emody advanced to second on the play and later scored after a single to left field by Bires. The Ironmen led 5-1 after three innings of play.
Richmond tacked on a run in the fourth inning and Lorain County added two more in the bottom of the seventh.
Raley went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and Bires went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI. Ironmen starting pitcher Ben Standiford improves to 2-2, going five innings allowing two runs on three hits. He also struck out one and walked four.
