Fremont, Nebraska – The Fremont Moo began the second half of the Independence League Baseball Association schedule with a 3-0 victory over the Hastings Sodbusters, Monday night at Historic Moller Field. Due to the excessive heat warning throughout the day, Monday night’s game was moved back to an 8 p.m. start and the format was changed to a seven inning contest.
Pitchers dominated the game through the first four innings as Fremont’s Robert O’Malley and Hastings’ Nathan Masar both kept their opposition from scoring. However, all the runs tallied in the game were produced by Fremont in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Stephen Espinoza led off with a single. Two batters later, Hunter Snyder singled, starting a chain of three straight hits as Miles Meadows and Dylan Brandenburg both followed with rbi singles of their own, to make it 2-0. Then, Trey Brooks struck out swinging at a ball in the dirt and the out was recorded on catcher Fred Bohn’s throw to first for the putout. On the play, however, Miles Meadows scored from third, to make it a 3-0, Fremont lead.
O’Malley worked six strong innings and Fremont turned the ball over to Alex Oliver who struck out the side in the seventh, to secure the Moo win.
Fremont (14-11, 1-0) scored three runs off five hits and committed two errors. Hastings (15-9, 0-1) had no runs off three hits and had no errors.
Fremont starter Robert O’Malley (3-0) earned the win. He pitched 6.0 innings, giving up just three hits, struck out six, walked two and had one wild pitch. Alex Oliver (4) picked up the save, pitching 1.0 inning with three strikeouts.
Hastings starter Nathan Masar (1-2) took the loss. He pitched 6.0 innings giving up three runs off five hits, struck out twelve, walked two and had one wild pitch.
Offensively for Fremont, MIles Meadows and Dylan Brandenburg both went 1-for-2 with an rbi.
With the win, Fremont has won three straight and kicked off the three-game series and 16-game homestand with their third shutout of the season.
Both teams will play game two of the series Tuesday night at Historic Moller Field. Tuesday is “College Night”. The game theme is Hawaiian. Fans that wear Hawaiian themed apparel will receive half-price off a general admission ticket. There will also be 2-for-1 pricing on general admission tickets, popcorn and hotdogs. Fans also will receive a free “The Door” cup, which may be redeemed at “The Door”, in downtown Fremont for $1 off a draft beer. Also, after Tuesday night’s game, there will be a post-game party at “The Door” featuring DJ L4ZR.
First pitch for Tuesday night’s game is 7:05 p.m.
