Jace Jung Homers Twice as Mud Hens Dominate Storm Chasers
The Toledo Mud Hens triumphed over the Omaha Storm Chasers with a commanding 10-3 victory, bolstered by Jace Jung’s two home runs and Keider Montero’s strong pitching performance.
Montero, despite navigating some base traffic, delivered a solid five-inning outing, allowing just one run in the third inning. He walked one batter and struck out six, leaving the game with the Mud Hens ahead 4-1.
The Hens’ offensive surge began in the first inning when Parker Meadows started with a line drive single. Spencer Torkelson was then hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Jace Jung, who sent a scorching liner to center field. Dillon Dingler’s walk loaded the bases, and Storm Chasers’ pitcher Chase Champlain walked in two runs before escaping the inning.
In the second inning, soft singles by Andrew Navigato and Meadows put runners on the corners. Torkelson hit into a double play, allowing Navigato to score, and Jung followed with a powerful home run to right field, clocking in at 109.6 mph, marking his 10th of the season.
The Mud Hens extended their lead in the fourth inning. Justice Bigbie opened with a double, followed by a Navigato single that scored Bigbie. Meadows singled Navigato to third and then stole second. Torkelson then delivered a two-run single up the middle, making the score 7-1. In the sixth inning, Torkelson walked and scored on another home run by Jung, his 11th of the season, pushing the lead to 9-1.
Brenan Hanifee took over in the seventh inning, giving up a solo home run but otherwise shutting down the Storm Chasers for 2 1/3 innings. He allowed three other hits, struck out five, and walked none. In the eighth, Ryan Vilade singled in Meadows, who had walked to lead off the inning. Alex Lange allowed a run in the ninth, but the Mud Hens secured a definitive victory.
Erie SeaWolves 11, Altoona Curve 2**
Austin Bergner delivered another solid performance, and the Erie SeaWolves’ offense exploded with 17 hits to overpower the Altoona Curve 11-2, tying Erie for the divisional lead with 11 games remaining in the first half.
Bergner, after allowing a two-run homer in the first inning, settled down to strike out six over four innings. Chris Meyers responded with a solo home run in the second inning, putting Erie on the board. The SeaWolves’ offense truly ignited in the fifth inning.
Brady Allen began with a double, and after Carlos Mendoza struck out, Hao-Yu Lee walked, and Trei Cruz reached on an error by Seth Beer, loading the bases. Jake Holton’s sacrifice fly scored Allen, and Meyers singled in Lee, giving Erie a 3-2 lead. Ben Malgeri then hit a three-run homer, his fourth of the season, extending Erie’s lead to 6-2.
Relievers Calvin Coker and Trevin Michael were stellar, holding Altoona scoreless from the fifth through the eighth innings. The SeaWolves sealed their victory in the eighth inning.
Gage Workman tripled and was driven in by Eliezer Alfonzo’s single. Allen singled, and another walk to Mendoza loaded the bases for Lee, who hit a sacrifice fly to score Alfonzo. Cruz followed with an RBI single, scoring Allen and making it 9-2.
In the ninth, Meyers and Malgeri led off with singles. Workman hit an automatic double off the center-field warning track, scoring Meyers. A Mendoza sacrifice fly brought in Malgeri before Altoona managed to cut down Workman trying to advance to third. Tim Naughton closed out the game without incident.
In summary, both the Mud Hens and the SeaWolves showcased dominant performances, driven by powerful hitting and solid pitching, securing crucial victories in their respective games.
