LAFAYETTE, IN. – The Lafayette Aviators secured their ninth 10+ hit game in a 10-0 victory over the Champion City Kings. The pace of play began in a slow fashion with both teams going scoreless in the first inning. The Aviators opened up their scoring with an RBI double from Brandon Daniels to score returning Fly Boy, Tanner Craig. Lafayette would score two more runs in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead over the Kings.
Scoring would take a back seat for two innings when the Aviators strung together four consecutive 1-2-3 innings. Starting pitcher, Tyler Norris would pitch six complete innings and five punch-outs to secure his second summer win. Champion City had troubles both at the plate and in the field. A total of four errors allowed Lafayette to advance runners and score insurance runs throughout the game. The Kings also surrendered 11 hits to the Aviators.
Lafayette would run away with the game in the sixth inning when they scored a game-high five runs. Champion City’s starter, Gabe Phipps, walked and hit a pair of batters to drive in two earned and two unearned runs. His reliever, Trent Carter, would walk in the fifth run before closing out the inning.
Lafayette put the final exclamation point on the game when Tanner Craig hit a two-RBI double into left field. The league-run rule finalized the score, and Craig received a celebratory water bath for his excellent home debut to the season.
The Aviators will play another home game tomorrow, Saturday, June 18th against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp. The first pitch comes at 7:00 p.m. The Aviators are 2-0 versus the Pistol Shrimp and will play them three times in three days.
