Game Summary

BOX SCORE - May 6, 2007

Pitchers:
Utica - Hestnes (W), Ellingson (5), Bates (8)
Evansville - Rasmussen (L), Copeland (6), Woods (7)
Strike Out Leaders:
Utica - Ellingson 4
Evansville - Rasmussen 3
Leading Hitters: Baumberger (E) 2x4, Rasmussen (E) 2x6, Frey (E) 3x4, Vike (U) 3x5, Knickmeier (U) 3x4, Hanson (U) 2x4
Doubles: Frey (E), Vike (U), Martin (U)

Game Pictures

EVANSVILLE JAYS DROP HTL SEASON OPENER

On Sunday, May 6th the Evansville Jays hosted Utica Association in a Home Talent Baseball League Season Opener game. The 2007 season marks the 79th season of the Home Talent League, but only the 3rd season for Evansville in the modern era. Prior to 2005, Evansville did not have a team in town since the early 1980s.

Since the start of the New Year the players on the Jays have been working hard to hone their skills for the upcoming season. On Sundays in January, February and March the players had indoor practices at the High School open gyms to play catch and hit in the batting cage. Starting in April the team moved practice outside. Along with moving practice outside, the Jays played a total of 6 scrimmage games in April and May to see live pitching and practice real game situations. Unfortunately for the Jays on Sunday, Utica came ready to play as well.

The opening inning was a bit rocking for the Jays by committing 4 of their 8 errors in that first inning. This allowed Utica to score first. Luckily for Evansville, Utica stranded the bases loaded in that inning. Utica added a run in the third and 3 runs in the fourth inning.

Evansville scored two runs in their bottom half of inning number four when Jerod Steindl started the inning by reaching on an error, and Brookes Baumberger followed him with a base hit. Two batters later, Davis Pryce hit a single to the right side to score Steindl from second. Next batter Josh Copeland walked to load the bases. Two batters later and with two outs, Jon Frey hit a single to score Baumberger.

In the top of the sixth inning Utica batted around the order and scored 4 runs on 5 hits. Evansville scored a run in the bottom half of the inning when Jasen Koebler walked and later scored on a double by Frey.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Evansville scored 3 runs when Koebler lead off the inning with a walk, and Frey was then hit by a pitch. Koebler stole third base and later scored on a wild pitch with Frey advancing to third base. Two batters later, Zach Hagen walked and later advanced to second on a second wild pitch of the inning. Next batter, Steindl hit a 2-RBI base hit to score Frey and Hagen.

Evansville rallied in the bottom of the ninth with runners at the corners, but was unable to score. Jerry Woods pitched solid in relief for the Jays by retiring all nine batters he faced in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

This Sunday (Mother's Day), May 13th Evansville will host Whitewater for a 1:00 pm game at the high school's Stan Sperry Field. All Jays supporting Moms in attendance at the game will receive a complimentary corsage while supplies last. For the latest schedule and results please visit the team's website at www.evansville.hometalent.org.

This week the Evansville Home Talent Team would like to recognize their top Diamond Sponsor, RCI Electric Service of Evansville.