2013 Championship Series: Game Two
Wichita 6, Gary SouthShore 4 (10 Innings)
Wichita almost let game two slip through its grasps, but recovered to claim a victory in extra innings. After Gary SouthShore came back from a two-run deficit to tie the score in the bottom of the ninth, the Wingnuts responded with a pair of runs in the top of the 10th. Wichita escaped with a 6-4 win, tying the series, 1-1.
Gary SouthShore stormed back in the ninth. Brian Kolb tripled to open the inning and Drew Martinez singled him home. Now trailing by just one run, Gary SouthShore played small ball. Zac Mitchell bunted Martinez into scoring position, leaving the RailCats potentially a hit away from tying the game.
With two outs, Adam Klein came through. The RailCats’ leadoff hitter singled to score Martinez, tying the game, 4-4. Wichita reliever Josh Dew was able to record the final out, but the damage was done and game two headed to extra innings.
The collapse could have sunk the Wingnuts, but Wichita rallied in the 10th. Jake Kahaulelio worked a leadoff walk and John Rodriguez advanced him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. The RailCats opted to intentionally walk C.J. Ziegler and pitch to Brent Clevlen (pictured), but Clevlen made them pay. The centerfielder doubled home Kahaulelio to give Wichita the lead. After an intentional walk to Abel Nieves loaded the bases, Cole Armstrong hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 6-4.
Gary SouthShore threatened to come back again in the bottom of the 10th, loading the bases with two outs. Wichita, however, was able to hold on for the win thanks to reliever Erik Lambe. The right-hander got the Wingnuts out of the jam with a game-ending strikeout, evening the best-of-five Championship Series. The Wingnuts and RailCats will have a day to recover from the drama before game three on Friday night in Wichita.
Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wingnuts
