Casey Harman (pictured) led the Laredo Lemurs to a big victory over the Wichita Wingnuts in game two of the American Association semifinals. Behind Harman’s performance on the mound, the Lemurs tied the series at one game apiece with a 3-2 win.
Harman gave the Lemurs eight innings on the hill and only allowed two runs. The left-hander surrendered five hits, walked two and struck out four to earn the win.
Laredo got the offense started early with a quick run in the first inning. Byron Wiley came through with the timely hit, as he singled home Travis Denker. The Lemurs added another run in the third on an RBI ground out by JP Ramirez and tacked on a third tally in the sixth on an RBI single by Denis Phipps.
Phipps’ single gave the Lemurs a 3-0 lead, but Wichita rallied back in the seventh. Carlo Testa slammed a two-run home run to trim the Wingnuts’ deficit to just one run.
That long ball was all Wichita could muster, however. After Harman’s night ended, Caleb Graham finished off the game with a scoreless ninth. Graham struck out two and gave up one hit to pick up the save.
The semifinals series between Lincoln and Winnipeg is all tied at 1-1. The Saltdogs rebounded from their game one defeat to take the second game from the Goldeyes, 3-2.
Saltdogs starting pitcher Marquis Fleming keyed the win with seven strong innings. The right-hander allowed one run on six hits to earn the win. Fleming walked three and struck out four.
Lincoln gave Fleming some offensive support in the second inning thanks to Jeremy Hamilton. After Brian Joynt doubled to lead off the frame, Hamilton singled to score the game’s first run. Matt Forgatch then added a run with an RBI single in the third inning and Ian Gac pushed Lincoln’s lead to 3-0 with an RBI fielder’s choice in the fifth.
Winnipeg threatened to come back in the late innings. Donnie Webb began the seventh with a bang, as he belted a solo home run. The very next inning, the Goldeyes pulled with in one run on an RBI fielder’s choice by Tyler Kuhn to score Brock Bond.
The Goldeyes had cut Lincoln’s lead to 3-2, but the Saltdogs’ bullpen stopped the damage. Marshall Schuler capped the win with a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save.
