Hastings, Nebraska – Thursday night at Duncan Field, The Fremont Moo defeated the Hastings Sodbusters, 6-4, in Independence League Baseball Association action. The result of the game snapped Fremont’s six-game losing streak and ended Hastings’ six-game winning streak. The majority of Fremont’s success was the inheritance of free bases on the night. Hastings pitchers walked thirteen Moo batters, plus three more bases were awarded via hit-by-pitch.
In the top of the first inning, Fremont leadoff batter Trey Brooks was hit by a pitch from Sodbusters’ starter Adam DeBoer. Brooks advanced to second, then third base, on a pair of wild pitches. Two batters later, Tyrus Petsche drew a walk, putting runners at first and third. Parker Mooney, Stephen Espinoza, Hunter Snyder and Miles Meadows all followed with walks, as well, putting Fremont ahead, 3-0.
The trend continued in the top of the second. With one out, Trey Brooks was hit by a pitch, again and, like the first inning, Brooks would take second, then third, on consecutive wild pitches. Bridger Coleman drew a walk, putting runners on first and third. Coleman stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. Tyrus Petsche hit a bouncing ball to Sodbuster shortstop Josh Prinner, who threw to third to retire Coleman, however, Brooks scored, to put Fremont ahead, 4-0.
The Moo added a run in the top of the third. With one out, Hunter Snyder drew a walk and Miles Meadows did the same. Hastings went to the bullpen and brought in Creighton Jacobitz. Dean Reynolds singled to load the bases. The next batter, Dylan Brandenburg hit a fly ball in foul territory down the right field line. Hastings’ Kyle Hiltbrand made the catch, and Hunter Snyder tagged and beat the throw home, making it 5-0, The Moo.
Fremont enjoyed its largest lead after adding one more run in the top of the fourth. Bridger Coleman doubled to left before Tyrus Petsche and Parker Mooney drew walks, to load the bases. Stephen Espinoza hit into a fielder’s choice, which scored Colman, to put Fremont ahead, 6-0.
The most productive inning for Hastings came in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Dino Morales singled off Fremont starter Kadyn Van HIll. Then, Ryan Jarvis and Jack Borgman followed with back-to-back singles, loading the bases. The next batter, Fred Bohn, hit into a fielder’s choice, which scored Morales, to make it 6-1. The next batter, Kyle Hiltbrand, was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. Alexiel Delgado drew a walk, scoring Jarvis, to make it 6-2. Then, Drew Vega was hit by a pitch, plating Bohn, to make it 6-3, before Van HIll got Josh Prinner to hit into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the eighth. With one out against Fremont reliever Alex Oliver, Alexiel Delgado singled and Drew Vega did the same. The next batter, Josh Prinner, drew a walk to load the bases. Two batters later, Dino Morales drew a walk, scoring Delgado, to make it 6-4. Oliver was able to get Ryan Jarvis to hit into a fielder’s choice, to end the inning.
Oliver faced just four batters in the bottom of the ninth. After retiring the first two batters, he gave up a single to Kyle Hiltbrand. Oliver was able to record the save and end the game on a 3-2 breaking ball which caught Alexiel Delgado looking for the final out.
Fremont (12-11) scored six runs off four hits and committed one error. Hastings (13-6) had four runs off eight hits with one error.
Moo starter Kadyn Van Hill pitched 4.1 innings, the Omaha native at Wayne State College gave up three runs off four hits, struck out four, walked three, had one wild pitch and hit two batters. Brandt Phillips (1-1) earned the win in relief. The Fremont native from Hutchinson Community College pitched 2.1 innings giving up one hit, struck out two, walked two, had one wild pitch and committed one balk. Alex Oliver (3) earned the save. The Grove, Oklahoma native headed to Colorado State-Pueblo pitched 2.0 innings, giving up one run off three hits, struck out two and walked two.
Hastings starter Adam DeBoer (0-1) took the loss. He pitched 2.1 innings, giving up five runs, struck out one, walked eight, had four wild pitches and hit two batters, while not giving up a hit. Creighton Jacobitz pitched 5.2 innings of relief. He gave up one run off three hits, struck out four, walked five and hit one batter. Tyler Welsh pitched 1.0 inning, giving up one hit.
Offensively for Fremont, Tyrus Petsche was 0-for-3 with an rbi. Stephen Espinoza was 0-for-4 and drove in two runs. Hunter Snyder walked twice, once with the bases loaded. Miles Meadows was 0-for-4 with an rbi. Dylan Brandenburg was 1-for-4 and drove in one run.
For Hastings, Drew Vega was 1-for-4 with an rbi. Dino Morales was 1-for-2 and drove in one run. Ryan Jarvis was 2-for-4. Fred Bohn went 0-for-5 with an rbi. Alexiel Delgado was 1-for-4 and drove in one run.
The two teams will wrap up their two-game series Friday night, which will also conclude Fremont’s seven-game road trip. First pitch at Duncan Field is 6:35 p.m.
