Written By: Alex Brophy
LAFAYETTE, IN. – Lafayette won four of five but dropped the final game of the home stand to the West Virginia Miners with a 5-3 decision. Quick scoring allowed the Miners to jump out to an early lead and the Aviators were unable to climb their way back into the matchup.
In the top of the first inning, Miner shortstop Alex Christie hit a two-run home run deep into left field that drove in Butler. Lafayette’s starting pitcher, Gyeongju Kim, allowed his sixth home run of the season and gave up the big play that added to a performance that fans are not used to. In the top of the second, West Virginia would continue the scoring spree with a two-RBI triple from Silas Butler that scored Siciliano and Doss, bringing the score to 4-0. Directly following the triple, Devin Hooper drove in Butler for the fifth and final run of the day for West Virginia.
Lafayette attempted to mount a comeback early on with a home run of their own. Eli Tencza hit a two-run shot deep into left field that also scored Cade Fitzpatrick, making the score 5-2. Lafayette’s final run came in the bottom of the fifth when Mike Kozsewski hit his second triple of the season to drive in Hatcher. In the final stretch of the game, the Aviators ran into stellar Miner relievers when Adams and Joyce allowed no hits, no runs, and punched four batters.
Kim suffered his first loss of the season (4-1) but fought back to have a solid outing totaling six innings pitched for six hits, five earned runs, and four punchouts. Lafayette’s win streak came to an end and they also dropped just their ninth home loss of the entire summer. The Fly Boys now head on the road for six away games, including a four-game series against the Johnstown Mill Rats, before returning home on August 2nd. Lafayette has Monday off and will open the road stand on Tuesday, July 26th, at the Chillicothe Paints with the first pitch being thrown at 7:35 p.m. EST. Aviator fans can tune into the matchup on Prospect League TV
