Blues cruise, sweep Ottawa
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
After six days of rest, the Emporia Blues came out in Tuesday’s doubleheader opener against Ottawa and went through the motions.
That was good enough for a 13-7 win. When the Blues decided to focus in during Game Two, they really flexed their muscle in a 13-0 run-rule win in five innings.
Ethan Hall and Brett Lechien provided the Blues with two solid pitching performances, both going the distance.
Hall started Game One, and the Emporia defense committed four errors, which helped Ottawa score its seven runs.
Even though Emporia scored 13 runs in the opener, coach Jerry Cook was not overly impressed because he said he thought his team was in cruise control throughout.
That was not the case in Game Two when the Blues scored in every inning. The defense also stepped up, helping Lechien hold Ottawa to just three hits in five innings.
“We really played a good game and for the most part we were awake and ready to play,” Cook said. “It was definitely a turnaround from our first game. The first game we were in and out, in and out wanting to play.”
Thomas Lowe made sure Lechien pulled off the shutout in the fifth inning. Lowe ended the game by throwing out a baserunner at home from right field, one of the several highlight plays made by the Emporia defense.
Dustin Lingenfelter led the Blues with two doubles in Game Two. One of Lingenfelter’s doubles came with two outs and the bases loaded, driving in two runs.
Emporia improved to 21-7. The Blues play a doubleheader today at Wichita. Game One is scheduled for 3 p.m.