Anderson homers as Blue Sox down Heat
Published 11:26 pm Monday, July 21, 2014
Lukas Anderson of the Austin Blue Sox smiles as he touches the plate after hitting his first career amateur home run in Marcusen Park Monday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
A pair of Southland grads came up with big hits as the Austin Blue Sox held off the Hayfield Heat 7-6 in Marcusen Park Monday.
Lukas Anderson hit his first amateur home run as he belted a two-run shot to left field to put the Blue Sox up 5-0 in the third inning and Taylar Schwartz came up with a two-run single to put the Blue Sox up 7-4 in the seventh inning.
Tyler Nelson throws for the Hayfield Heat against the Austin Blue Sox in Marcusen Park Monday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Hayfield (13-12 overall) pulled to within 7-6 in the eighth as Jordan Bale singled in a run, but it couldn’t plate the trying run.
“When we can get the full compliment of guys here, it’s a really good group and we can really do some things,” Blue Sox manager Josh Kunze said. “Hayfield pitches the ball real well and they weren’t just throwing a token guy at us. They threw with nice velocity and that will prepare us for Wednesday night.”
Anderson batted in the lead-off spot for the first time this summer on Monday and he said he’s starting to make the proper adjustments to batting against faster pitching.
“I think I just had a good swing [on the homer],” Anderson said. “It’s a little easier now. I’ve been playing games, getting experience and I’m seeing the ball a little better at this speed. I’m more comfortable up there.”
The Blue Sox got a boost from Southland grad Brian Voigt, who picked up the save on the mound. Anderson said it was nice to play with a couple of former Rebels against a team loaded with former Hayfield baseball players.
“There’s a little extra with this game because we know so many players from the other team,” he said.
The Blue Sox (8-10 overall) will now focus on their Wednesday night matchup against the Austin Greyhounds at 7:30 p.m. in Marcusen Park.
Blue Sox first baseman Clay Eustice hauls in a throw as Hayfield’s Travis Kauffman runs down the base line in Marcusen Park Monday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“We’re looking forward to a good challenge on Wednesday,” Kunze said. “We’re going to come out and give them our best shot.”
The Blue Sox topped the Mankato Mets 8-6 on the road Saturday. Quinn Yocom and Carter Guthmiller each knocked in two runs and Jon Mittag picked up the mound win.
The Blue Sox are now 1-2 in Section play.
Hayfield 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 — 6 6 4
Austin 0 2 1 2 0 0 2 0 X — 7 10 3
Blue Sox pitching: Dallas Coleman (W) 5 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 K; Adam Hemann, 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 R; Dylan See-Rockers 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 R, 2 K; Brian Voigt (S), 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K
Blue Sox hitting: Lukas Anderson, 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs, R, SB, HBP; Marcus Stoulil, 2-for-5, 3 SB; Voigt, 1-for-3, 2 BBs, SB; Mark Harber, 0-for-5; Cody Meyer, 2-for-3, 2 R, HBP; Clay Eustice, 0-for-3, RBI, R, BB; Brandon Rector, 0-for-1; Jaimie Adams, 0-for-2, RBI, SB; Carter Guthmiller, 2-for-2, double, RBI, R; Quinn Yocom, 1-for-2; Jason Stoulil, 0-for-1, R; Taylar Schwartz, 1-for-1, 2 RBIs; Cody Schact, 0-for-1
Heat pitching: Tyler Nelson (L) 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 K
Heat hitting: Tyler Krekling, 0-for-2, 3 BBs; Cole Kruger, 0-for-5; Nelson, 1-for-5, R, SB; Sam Hinsch, 1-for-3, 2 R, SB, BB; Charlie Hinsch, 1-for-2, RBI, R, SB, BB; Travis Kauffman, 0-for-4; Drew Streightiff, 1-for-2, R, 2 BBs; Jordan Bale, 1-for-4, 2 RBIs; Kyle Van Wettering, 1-for-2; Paul Vold, 0-for-1, BB
