Saints drop home opener 12-2 to Blue Earth
Posted May 11, 2013
By CJ Siewert
The visiting Blue Earth Pirates spoiled the town team’s home opener on Friday night, defeating the Saints 12-2 at Veterans Field. The Pirates took advantage of shaky pitching performances and timely hits to claim the victory.
Jesse Anderson started on the hill for St. Peter and allowed four earned runs in two innings of work, suffering the loss. Grant Nelsen came in relief with no outs in the third and managed to get out of the inning, but gave up two runs in the fourth (one earned).
Jeff Wenner tossed the final five frames allowing six runs (three earned) on just two hits in 26 plate appearances. He walked two, struck out two and beaned three.
The Saints’ defense was shaky throughout the game, recording five errors that resulted in four unearned runs.
Jordan Wilmes scored both of St. Peter’s runs – one in the sixth and one in the eighth. He led off the sixth with a walk, advanced to second on a groundout by CJ Siewert and scored on a grounder by Cody Weingartz.
In the eighth, Wilmes started the frame by reaching on an error, advanced to second on a grounder and then scored on a double by Billy Hanson.
Hanson led the Saints at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Newcomer Nick Kempenich went 1-for-3 with a walk in his debut. Jeff Menk (1-4), Ryan Wenner (1-4) and Seth Wenner (1-4, 2B) had the remaining hits for the local nine.
Aaron Wendt tallied the win for the Pirates after six innings of scoreless pitching. He gave up just three hits and struck out four without a walk. Trent Sonnickson led Blue Earth at the plate, going 3-for-6 with four runs and an RBI. All ten Blue Earth hits were singles.
The Saints’ next game is Friday at Brownton. First pitch is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Photo by CJ Siewert: Seth Wenner hit a double in the fifth inning.
