Moo- 5, Sodbusters- 2
Fremont: (R-H-E): 5-7-3, Hastings: (R-H-E): 2-6-2
Win: Lucas Hamzeh (2-0); Loss: Daulton Juden (3-6); Save: None
HR: Fremont: None: HR: Hastings: None
Hastings, Nebraska- Fremont starting pitcher Lucas Hamzeh pitched eight solid innings and led the Moo to a 5-2 victory over the Hastings Sodbusters, Friday night at Duncan Field.
Fremont started the scoring in the top of the second. Neil Jansen singled with one out and Easton Steck followed with a base hit, as well. Then, a double steal put runners at second and third. The next batter, Tyler Harrington, drove in Jansen with a ground out to first base, to make it 1-0.
The Sodbusters tied the game in the bottom of the second. Tyler Welsh reached on an error by Blake Tablazon at second base. Then, a wild pitch advanced Welsh to second. Two batters later, Eli Merritt singled to put runners at first and third. Then, Josh Prinner hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Welsh, to tie the game at 1-1.
The Moo took the lead for good in the top of the fourth. Blake Tablazon drew a lead off walk. Two batters later, Neil Jansen was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Then, Easton Steck hit a ground ball to third that ricochet off Tyler Welsh and went into center field, scoring Tablazon. Tyler Harrington then singled, bringing home Jansen, to make it 3-1, Fremont.
Hastings cut The Moo lead in half in the bottom of the seventh. Josh Prinner and Jacob Nesvara hit back-to-back singles, to put runners at first and third. Then, Taylor Gill hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Prinner, to make the score 3-2.
Fremont got the run right back in the top of the eighth. Neil Jansen led off with a single, then advanced to second on a ground out by Easton Steck. A wild pitch moved Jansen to third. Then, Tyler Harrington grounded out to short, scoring Jansen, to make it 4-2.
The Moo added one more run in the top of the ninth. Jayson Willers led off with a walk, then Darius Blasingane came on to pinch run. A ground out by Henry Hayman to second advanced Blasingane into scoring position. Then, Blake Tablazon hit a chopper that bounced off Welsh's glove at third, scoring Blasingane, to make it 5-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, Moo reliever Gavin Alveti came on to pitch. He got Eli Merritt to pop up to Tablazon at second for the first out. Then, Josh Prinner bounced back to Alveti on the mound for out number two. Pinch hitter Nick Jones singled. Then Alveti got pinch hitter Markos Cabranes to swing at a 3-2 pitch and fly out to Jansen in center field, for the final out of the game.
Fremont starter Lucas Hamzeh (2-0) earned the win. The Gilbert, Arizona native at Midland University pitched 8.0 innings, giving up five hits, one earned run, walked one, struck out four and had one wild pitch. Gaven Alveti pitched the ninth. The Searcy, Arkansas native at Central Arkansas gave up one hit.
Hastings starter Daulton Juden (3-6) took the loss. He pitched 6.0 innings giving up four hits, one earned run, walked four and struck out seven. Brayden Mackey pitched 3.0 innings, giving up three hits, one earned run, walked two, struck out two and had two wild pitches.
Offensively for Fremont, Neil Jansen was 2-for-4. The Cypress, California native at San Jose State had two singles. Tyler Harrington was 1-for-4. The Lakeland, Tennessee native headed to Alabama-Birmingham drove in three runs.
The Sodbusters' Taylor Gill was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
More Information: With the win, Fremont claimed the first game of the three-game series. Fremont leads the season series over Hastings, 10-0. With a single in the seventh inning, Henry Hayman hit safely in his tenth straight game. Friday night's contest was played at a brisk two hours and thirteen minutes.
Up Next: Fremont (31-20, 14-13) will play Hastings (16-35, 10-16) in game two of the series, Saturday night at Duncan Field. Saturday's game will be played with "Banana Ball Rules", influenced by the World Famous entertainment team, The Savannah Bananas. First pitch will be 6:35pm. The Moo and The Sodbusters will wrap up regular season action, Sunday, at 6:35pm at Duncan Field.
The Moo have now learned their opponent in the Independence League's Championship Series. Fremont will play the Caper Spuds who won the league's second half. Games one and two of the best-of-five series will be played at Mike Lansing Field, in Casper, Wyoming, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 1st and 2nd. Both games will begin at 7:30pm (CT) / 6:30pm (MT). Game three will be at Historic Moller Field, in Fremont, Friday, August 4th at 7:05pm. Game four (if necessary) will be Saturday, August 5th at 7:05pm. Game five (if necessary) will be Sunday, August 6th at 5:05pm. For tickets to the Championship Series games in Fremont, go to: www.fremontmoo.com/tickets or call (402)-660-1217.
On The Air: All Moo home and road games are broadcast on radio on Big Dog Country, 98.9 FM and 1340 AM, KHUB. Games can also be heard on smartphones, iPads, and other mobile devices by going to: www.fremontmoo.com/mixlr. All Moo home games have live video streaming at: www.fremontmoo.com and on YouTube at: BSDN Live.