Game
Notes:
Coach's interference ended a late Thunder rally as the club dropped a 6-5 decision to Tri-City Maroon. Rookie righthander Josh Retka was brilliant in his season debut on the hill, scattering nine hits and yielding just three earned runs. He walked none and struck out two. After Tri-City took a 2-0 lead in the third, the Thunder responded with a five-run fourth, led by veteran Jake Kruegel's grand slam. The Thunder defense committed five errors, including three in the sixth which led to three unearned runs. In the seventh, Eddie Hagberg reached on a fielder's choice with two-out, and Retka crushed a 2-0 fastball to right center. As Hagberg tried to score, the coach interfered, ending the Thunder rally and the ballgame. "E-Coach all the way" said Coach Luis later."Maybe we should see if Al Newman's available." Future (Retka) pitched well enough to get a W." Alex Johnson, Ryan Stepan, Matt Neutz, Hagberg and Retka had two hits apiece to lead the offense. Kruegel drove in four and Derek Jacobson added a run scored.