GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2022
Contact: Ryan Zimmerman
Phone: 219-882-2255
[email protected]  

RailCats Fall Just Short in Shootout 

Winnipeg, MB – The Gary SouthShore RailCats brought their big bats with them north of the border, but the Winnipeg Goldeyes did just enough to hold them off and grabbed an 11-9 win. 

The two teams produced a total of 27 hits, including a total of eight home runs, in their first contests after the American Association All-Star break. 

Following a scoreless first inning, the RailCats kicked off the scoring in the top of the second.  Jesus Marriaga and Alec Olund singled, and Olund advanced to second base on his hit, putting runners on second and third base with two outs.  Jackson Smith converted the chance on a first-pitch base hit, powering the ‘Cats ahead 2-0. 

They continued to add onto their early edge in their next turn at-bat.  Tom Walraven and Michael Woodworth kicked off the RailCats rally with back-to-back singles, and Daniel Lingua’s groundout plated Walraven from third.  Marriaga reached on an error and debutant LG Castillo recorded a base hit, loading the bases for Sam Abbott.  He took full advantage of the moment by unleashing his power stroke as he crushed a grand slam to left field, giving Gary SouthShore a 7-0 advantage. 

However, Winnipeg fired right back in the bottom of the third.  They struck for seven runs, six of which scored on four home runs, to tie the contest at seven. 

The Goldeyes used their power at the plate to propel them to their first lead in the bottom of the fourth.  Logan Hill smacked a three-run home run to position Winnipeg up 10-7. 

Wanting to mount a comeback of their own, the RailCats turned to the long ball in the top of the fifth.  Abbott launched his second home run of the game, pulling Gary SouthShore back within two. 

Nevertheless, the Goldeyes got that run right back in the bottom of the sixth.  A Max Murphy solo home run restored Winnipeg’s advantage at three. 

Down to their final six outs, the RailCats got their offense going again in the eighth.  Olund and Smith drew consecutive walks to begin the frame before a Javeyan Williams groundout advanced them both 90 feet.  The ensuing batter, Walraven, singled to bring Olund home and locate the tying run on first base, but Winnipeg pitching came up clutch to get the final two outs of the inning and halt the Gary SouthShore rally. 

Augie Voight tossed a perfect bottom of the eighth, and Marriaga drew a tough walk to move the tying run into the batter’s box to begin the ninth, but that was where the RailCats ran out of magic.  Three straight outs enabled the Goldeyes to finish Gary SouthShore off and secure the victory. 

The RailCats return to Shaw Park tomorrow as they square off against the Goldeyes for game two of this four-game series at 6:30 p.m.  All the action will be streamed on aabaseball.tv, 95.9 WEFM, and the Gary SouthShore RailCats Broadcast Network through the Mixlr app. 

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