Game Summary

In a game that went 2 extra innings into the 9th, Lakehead’s baseball team rallied from behind to scratch out a 9-6 win over the U Minnesota Gophers, their first conference win of the season.

The Thunderwolves baseball club took to the diamond under ideal autumn conditions at Lakeview Terrace field in North Minneapolis.

Starting pitcher Ben Kennedy (photo left), a 3rd year mechanical engineering student took the mound despite a nasty contusion that bulged about a half inch out from his right ankle. He sustained the injury on a foul tip 2 weeks prior, but was convinced by his brother (and catcher) Josh to make the start.

After a rough beginning to the game, Ben settled in after giving up 3 runs in the 1st inning to battle all the way to 7th, throwing 108 pitches, striking out 9 while walking 5 batters and giving up 7 hits.

Lakehead batters helped out their starter in the 3rd inning thanks to some small ball, as Brock Vandenbrand walked, followed by Nate Brady being hit by a pitch. A sacrifice bunt by Tyler Beckie advanced the runners, and singles by Nick Feren and Rob Shedden plated 2 runs. The Gophers’ countered with a run in the 4th to make it 4-2.

Second baseman Robert Shedden put a charge into a pitch in the 5th inning that soared over the left field fence for a solo homerun.

“Damn that felt good,” Shedden said as he returned to the dugout following his trot around the bases to make it 4-3.

The big hit energized the ‘Wolves, who put some more offense together in the 6th inning beginning with a double off the fence from shortstop Jason Eberlin. The hit was followed by 2 more runs to put Lakehead up 5-4, which also knocked out Gophers’ starter and player/coach, Kerry Ledin.

With nobody out in the bottom of the 7th the Gophers’ catcher would reach first base on a drive to centre on Ben Kennedy’s final pitch of the game. A pinch runner would come come around to score and tie the game to force extra innings. Coach Jason Hart encouraged his ‘Wolves to keep battling, and battle they did.

Shortstop Jason Eberlin made consecutive plays to record outs, and was also beaned in the 8th inning. It was ruled after the play that he went around and the pitch was ruled a strike.

Lakehead reliever Alex Salterio would come into the game in the 7th and carry his team the rest of the way.

The ‘Wolves finally blew the doors open in the 9th, scoring 4 runs and holding the Gophers to 1 run in the bottom of the inning to end the marathon game.

Lakehead top performers:
Rob Shedden 3-4, BB, 2 rbi’s
Brendan Flanagan, 2-4, 2 2B, 2 rbi’s
Nick Feren 2-5, 2 rbi’s

Pitchers:
Ben Kennedy 9 Ks, 5 BBs, 6.0 IP
Alex Salterio, 3.0 IP

Lakehead  9R 12H 1E
Minnesota    6R 7H 2E