Angels Plummet in Final Frame

Sunday evening action in the Optimist Junior League featured the Reds visiting the Angels, with Braydon Cobb squaring off against Eric Appelquist on the mound. The Reds opened with a tentative 1-0 lead in the second when Aiden Larsen plated after a series of errors for an unearned run. Cobb retired the next five in order before pitching out of a two-out-two-on jam in the Fourth, coaxing a flyout to right field from leadoff hitter Parker Toppings. Jake Hesselink took over in the Fifth, giving up an earned run to Calvin Vanderleest on a Aiden Larsen sacrifice fly. Meanwhile, the Angels scored Turner Ripplinger, Brett Wendel and Troy Treslan in the Third, after RBI hits from Brody Strocen, Josh Hammett, and Noah Kaytor. In the Fourth, Jake Hesselink converted a Troy Treslan triple with a double of his own and the Fifth ended with Angels in the lead 4-2. Both teams traded three runs in the Sixth and the table was set for a great finish. <Cue horror soundtrack> With Hesselink allowing a double with one out, the Angels rotated through a series of would-be closers, trying to force the final two outs, only to witness a  7-5 lead implode into a 16-5 loss. A shocking setback after a promising start against a top team.