River Monsters Split Lake Charles Doubleheader Behind Strong Mound Efforts

By: Zach Dworaczyk

SAN ANTONIO— After sizeable downpours throughout the Alamo City left Sullivan Field

drenched, the San Antonio River Monsters' pivotal series against the Lake Charles Gumbeaux

Gators became a Sunday doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. on July 12.

Despite an impressive 8-4 win in Sunday's first game, the River Monsters (6-5) split the series

against the Gumbeaux Gators (6-5), losing Game 2 3-2.

San Antonio's lineup wasted no time getting to work in Game 1 of the doubleheader, loading the

bases in the first inning and allowing first baseman David Dehoyos to draw a walk, putting the

team up 1-0.

Lake Charles fought back in the second inning to even the score at 1-1; however, the River

Monsters' lineup continued to crowd the bases.

In another bases-loaded scenario, third baseman Nathan Hodge got hit by a pitch, leading San

Antonio to retake the lead 2-1.

Chaos on the bases resulted in another run for the River Monsters as center fielder Eric Bacon

reached on a fielder's choice that extended the lead to 3-1.

The back-and-forth scoring continued with the Gumbeaux Gators scoring three runs in the top of

the third inning to retake the lead 4-3.

However, San Antonio's lineup continued its streaky scoring, adding four runs of its own.

After Bacon brought a runner home on a single, Dehoyos stepped to the plate with the bases

loaded yet again, allowing the River Monsters the opportunity to retake the lead.

Dehoyos wasted no time rocketing a double to left field to score two runs.

Utility man Bruno Robles capped the inning off with a sacrifice fly to boost the lead to 7-4 for

San Antonio.

The River Monsters tacked on another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on a stolen base

from shortstop Javier Diaz.

San Antonio left no room for drama in Game 1 with pitcher Parker Kotlarz slamming the door

shut in his full-game performance.

Across seven innings, Kotlarz struck out eight batters while limiting Lake Charles to four earned

runs.

Game 2 started following a 30-minute break, which showed in the scoreless first two innings.

Right fielder Roman Trinidad kicked off the scoring, making it home on a wild pitch after hitting a

triple deep to centerfield.

Designated hitter Hunter Ham increased the lead on a single to centerfield that scored Diaz and

gave the River Monsters a 2-0 advantage.

Despite the early success, the Gumbeaux Gators rattled off three runs in the remaining four

innings to win the game 3-2.

Pitcher MJ Espinoza defined the night for San Antonio, pitching 4 2⁄3 shutout innings while

striking out four batters.

The River Monsters now look to close out the homestand in an important series against the

Abilene Flying Bison on July 14 and 15.