Fremont, Nebraska – The Fremont Moo opened a three-game series with the Nebraska Prospects in Independence League Baseball Association, Wednesday night, at Historic Moller Field. Kadyn Van Hill was the star of the show, as he pitched nine full innings, leading Fremont to a 7-2 victory. With the victory, the Moo won their fourth straight, and improved to 10-5 on the season.
The visiting Prospects scored in the top of the first. With one out, Easton Swafford doubled off of Van Hill. Then, Korey Cozad singled to put runners at first and third. The next batter, Nathan Vermass, hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Swafford to put the Prospects ahead, 1-0.
Fremont responded quickly, in the bottom of the first. Leadoff batter Trey Brooks reached on a strikeout and wild pitch by Prospects starter P.J. Loucks. After a stolen base, two batters later, Stephen Espinoza singled to left, scoring Brooks, to tie the game at 1-1.
A 36-minute lightning delay halted the proceedings in the top of the third, but when play resumed, both starting pitchers had control of the opposing team’s lineup. The score remained the same until the bottom of the sixth. Brooks led off the inning with a single and took second on an errant pickoff attempt from the Prospects catcher Korey Cozad. Bridger Coleman singled and Brooks tried to score, but was thrown out at home by left fielder Levi Martin. Stephen Espinoza singled to put runners at the corners. Then, Tyrus Petsche hit a ground ball to third, but Grant Ryan’s throw was low and the error allowed Colman to score, putting Fremont ahead, 2-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Prospects went to the bullpen and brought in J.T. Roy. Fremont’s Connor Peterson led off the inning with a walk. Dylan Brandenburg followed with a single to right, putting runners on first and second. Hunter Snyder laid down a bunt, which Roy bobbled allowing everyone to advance and Fremont loaded the bases. Trey Brooks delivered a two-rbi single, scoring Peterson and Brandenburg, putting Fremont up 4-1. Three batters later, Fremont pinch-hitter Collin Pitts delivered an rbi single to left, scoring Snyder, to make it 5-1, Fremont. The next batter, Wyatt Yetter, hit a two-rbi single to center, scoring Brooks and Pitts, and Fremont led 7-1.
Going for the complete game victory, Van Hill showed a touch of fatigue in the top of the ninth. Blake Stenger led off with a double. Then, Easton Swafford singled, to put runners at first and third. Van Hill uncorked a wild pitch, which allowed Stenger to score, making it 7-2. After recording two outs on a line out and a strikeout, Van Hill walked Bodi Waller. However, the Fremont right-hander got Tyler Palmer to hit into a game-ending fielder’s choice, giving the Moo the 7-2 victory.
Fremont (10-5) scored seven runs off twelve hits and committed no errors. The Nebraska Prospects (3-7) had two runs off five hits and had three errors.
Kadyn Van HIll (2-1) picked up the complete game victory. He pitched 9.0 innings giving up two runs off five hits, struck out six, walked one and had one wild pitch.
P.J. Louck (0-2) took the loss for the Prospects. He pitched 6.0 innings, giving up one earned run off eight hits and struck out two. J.T. Roy pitched 1.1 innings, giving up two earned runs off four hits, struck out two and walked one. Cameron Pickens pitched 0.2 innings and struck out one.
Offensively for Fremont, Trey Brooks was 2-for-4. The Encino, California native at San Jose State, drove in two runs. Stephen Espinoza was 2-for-4. The Lompoc, California native at Charleston Southern drove in one run. Collin Pitts was 1-for-1. The native of Lufkin, Texas via Centenary College of Louisiana drove in one run. Wyatt Yetter was 3-for-4. The Omaha native at Barton County Community College had two rbi’s.
For the Nebraska Prospects, Blake Stenger was 2-for-4 and Easton Swafford also was 2-for-4.
The teams will play the second game of the three-game series, Thursday night at Historic Moller Field. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
