Lucky Horseshoes Rally to Edge LumberKings 7-6 in See-Saw Opener

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Clinton LumberKings started with an early offensive outburst but couldn't hold off a persistent Springfield Lucky Horseshoes squad, falling 7-6 in a back-and-forth battle at Robin Roberts Stadium on Wednesday night.

Clinton (1-1) struck first with a three-run first inning that saw an RBI double from Austin Mallee, an RBI single by Camden Clewett, and a daring steal of home by Brett White. But the Lucky Horseshoes (2-0) chipped away, using a three-run 6th inning and a solo homerun in the 8th to steal the win in their home opener in front of 876 fans.

Clewett led the LumberKings offensively, going 2-for-5 with two RBI. He delivered again in the fifth, singling in Mallee as part of a three-run frame that gave Clinton a 6-2 lead. Manny Esparza followed with a two-RBI single to plate Clewett and White.

However, Springfield responded immediately. Jackson Snitko's RBI double in the bottom of the fifth trimmed the deficit to 6-3. In the 6th, Louie Bartletti grounded out to bring in one, then Enrico Veach tripled home the tying run before scoring on Jarrett Chapman's RBI single to give Springfield its first lead at 6-5.

After Clinton was held scoreless by reliever Samuel Mommer (1-0), Jonny Marquez provided insurance with a solo shot to right field in the 8th — the game's only home run — putting the Horseshoes ahead 7-6.

The LumberKings were limited to just one hit over the final four innings as Mommer tossed four shutout frames with five strikeouts to earn the win.

Clinton starter Brody Meyers allowed two runs over four solid innings, striking out eight. Garrett Siemsen surrendered four earned runs in relief, and Will Schufreider (0-1) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead homer to Marquez.

Springfield out-hit Clinton 12-7. Veach finished a home run shy of the cycle and hit 3-for-4 with a triple, double, an RBI and three runs scored. Chapman also had three hits and three RBI, while Snitko and Bartletti each drove in one.

The LumberKings look to split the two-game series with the 'Shoes tomorrow, May 29th with first pitch at 6:30 in Robin Roberts Stadium.