Fremont, Nebraska – The Fremont Moo went into Friday night’s matchup with the Nebraska Prospects in search of their sixth straight win, plus a sweep of the series to wrap up a twelve game homestand. However, The Prospects handed Fremont a 5-3 loss at Historic Moller Field. With the loss, Fremont falls to 1.5 games back of league-leading Casper, with eight days remaining in the first half of the league schedule.
The Moo took an early lead, in the bottom of the first inning. Bridger Coleman drew a walk against Prospects starting pitcher Colton Homolka. The next batter, Stephen Espinoza, hit a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homerun, giving Fremont a 2-0 lead.
The Prospects put together a three-run inning in the top of the fifth, to capture their first lead of the night. Jacob Perrin drew a walk off Moo starter Logan Anderson. Then, Levi Martin singled to put runners at first and second. The next batter, Trent Barry, singled, to load the bases. Then, Blake Stenger hit a ground ball to third baseman Dylan Brandenburg, who misplayed the grounder, allowing Perrin to score, to make it 2-1. Two batters later, Elliott Petersen hit an rbi single, scoring Barry, to tie the game at 2-2. Then, a wild pitch allowed Stenger to score, putting the Prospects in front, 3-2.
Fremont answered in the bottom of the sixth. Cooper Fuchino reached on an error by Barry, at second base. Wyatt Yetter drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Connor Petersen laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing runners to second and third. Then, Brandenburg hit a ground ball to second, allowing Fuchino to score, tying the game at 3-3.
The Prospects recaptured the lead for good, in the top of the seventh inning. Against Moo reliever Brandt Phillips, Barry drew a walk. After Tyler Palmer laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Barry to second, Grant Ryan delivered an rbi single, scoring Barry, to make it 4-3, The Prospects.
In the top of the ninth, Prospects pinch-hitter Ashton Graff-Rowe singled and Barry followed with a single, as well, to put runners at first and third. Two batters later, Ryan reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Graff-Rowe, to make it a 5-3 Prospects lead.
Fremont tried to put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth. Against Prospects reliever Kyler Hansen, Trey Brooks drew a walk and Tyrus Petsche singled, putting runners at first and second. However, Hansen got Espinoza to hit a one-hopper back to the mound, ending the game.
The Nebraska Prospects (4-8) scored five runs off nine hits and committed two errors. Fremont (11-6) had three runs off three hits with two errors.
Prospects starter Colton Homolka pitched 3.0 innings, giving up two runs off two hits, struck out seven and walked four. J’Shawn Unger (1-0) picked up the win, pitching 3.0 innings, giving up one unearned run, struck out three and walked one. Keinan Litrell pitched 2.0 innings, struck out one and hit one batter. Kyler Hansen (1) earned the save. He pitched 1.0 inning giving up one hit and walked one.
Fremont starter Logan Anderson pitched 5.0 innings, giving up two earned runs off five hits, struck out seven and walked two. Brandt Phillips (0-1) took the loss. He pitched 3.2 innings, giving up two runs off four hits, struck out six and walked two. Theo Hughes pitched 0.1 innings with one strikeout.
Offensively for The Prospects, Grant Ryan was 1-for-2 with two rbi’s. Ellliot Peterson was 2-for-4 with an rbi. Trent Barry went 2-for-3.
For Fremont, Stephen Espinoza was 1-for-5 with a two-run homerun.
The Prospects return to action, Saturday, June 22nd at the Hastings Sodbusters. Fremont is back in action Saturday night, when they play at Hastings versus the Sodbusters, in a doubleheader. Game one begins at 6 p.m. at Duncan Field.
