GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2022
Contact: Ryan Zimmerman
Phone: 219-882-2255
[email protected]
 

RailCats Pull Off Extra-Inning Walk-off To Close Out Series 

Gary, IN – In a series full of firsts, the Gary SouthShore RailCats sent the Lake Country DockHounds back to Oconomowoc with one that will not make them proud.  The RailCats delivered a 2-1 walk-off extra-innings victory, the first-ever walk-off loss in DockHounds franchise history, to cap off their inaugural series. 

In just his eighth game on the team, Zach Racusin delivered the game-winning base hit in the 10th inning to send the fans at The Steel Yard home happy. 

Through the early stages of the game, Chris Erwin dazzled in his first start of the season. He tossed five shutout innings and allowed just three hits, walking three and striking out three in the process. 

The offense behind him provided some run support in the third inning.  After Jackson Smith led off with a base hit, he teamed up with M.J. Rookard to execute a hit-and-run as a double brought him home from first base to give the RailCats a 1-0 lead. 

Gary SouthShore pitching continued to dominate as the matchup progressed.  Josh Vincent entered in relief in the sixth inning and picked up right where Erwin left off. He hurled 2.1 spotless frames, permitting just one hit and one walk while striking out four.  As the DockHounds got the tying run aboard, Carlos Vega took over with one out in the top of the eighth and produced two strikeouts to keep the RailCats in front. 

However, Lake Country’s offense came up clutch in the top of the ninth.  A leadoff double and sacrifice bunt led to the wild pitch that tied the game.  Though they got the go-ahead runner on base immediately after drawing level, Michael Cruz cut Lamar Briggs down attempting to steal second base to eliminate the threat. 

As the score was newly tied at one, the RailCats put themselves in prime position for their first walk-off win in 2022.  Sam Abbott worked a walk and Smith got hit by a pitch, but with their backs against the wall, the DockHounds tiptoed out of trouble and stranded the winning run at third base, sending the game to extra innings. 

Due to the league’s new rules, Lake Country began the top of the 10th with a runner on second base, and they bunted him over to third right away.  As the next batter lifted a fly ball to left field, Rookard produced a game-saving play as he gunned down the go-ahead run trying to tag up on a sacrifice fly. 

Needing to advance a runner from second base themselves to seal the win, Daniel Lingua walked, and Michael Woodworth bunted both runners up a base.  Cruz received an intentional walk that loaded the bases, setting the stage for Racusin to deliver the knockout blow. 

The RailCats have a day off tomorrow, but they return to action as they head to Mercy Field to take on the Sioux City Explorers on Friday at 7:05 p.m. to kick off a three-game set.  All the action can be streamed on aabaseball.tv, 95.9 WEFM, and the Gary SouthShore RailCats Broadcast Network via the Mixlr app. 

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