Written by: Alex Brophy
LAFAYETTE, IN. – Efficiency is the word that best describes Lafayette’s 5-2 victory over the Burlington Bees. The Aviators entered the game on a five game losing streak, but their play on the field was cool, calm, and collected. A 14-hit game accompanied by another seven strikeout performance from starting pitcher, Gyeongju Kim, drove the win.
The Bees struck first with an RBI-single from Adams to score Fulk. Lafayette would answer back in the bottom of the third inning when Tanner Craig hit an RBI double, scoring Hondras. The Fly Boys would score two more runs in the fifth with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.
The 3-1 would hold until the seventh inning when Elmore hit a deep home run into left field, bringing the score to 3-2. Lafayette would seal the victory by answering with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Nolan Tucker hit a triple into right field that scored Hondras for the second time, but an error by the second baseman allowed Tucker to come in and score the fifth and final run of the game.
Lafayette finished with five batters racking up multiple hits. The Fly Boys also closed out the game using just two pitchers. Kim pitched six and one thirds inning, and reliever Bryson Walker pitched two and two thirds innings to secure his second save of the year. Kim walked away with the victory, improving his record to 4-0, while Walker put 2s across his stat sheet (2-2-2).
The much needed victory snapped a five game losing streak and gave the Aviators their 12th home win of the season. Lafayette (16-21) will play a rematch against the Burlington Bees (14-23) tomorrow, July 14th, in the second of a four game homestand. First pitch is at 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed on Prospect League TV.
