Written By: Alex Brophy
LAFAYETTE, IN – On Hispanic Heritage night, the Lafayette Aviators suffered a 5-3 loss to Clinton Lumberkings. The Fly Boys started off hot, but were cooled by a 30 minute rain delay that slowed the quick pace of starting pitcher, Tyler Yotkewich. Yotkewich pitched six strikeouts in the first nine batters, but the delay stopped him in his tracks. Lafayette opened the game with three 1-2-3 innings, but would face four or more batters in every inning after the fact.
Tre Hondras opened the game with a bang, hitting his second home run of the season as the leadoff hitter in the first inning. The Lumberkings would not respond until after the delay when they scored five runs in two innings.
Clinton scored their first run in the fourth after an RBI single scored Adam Weed. The Lumberkings would rack up the runs in the fifth with four runs, bringing the score to 5-1. An RBI single, an unearned run off an error from the left fielder, and a sacrifice fly gave the Lumberkings their hefty lead. Lafayette would score two more runs before the game’s conclusion.
In the seventh inning, Tre Hondras grounded into a double play that allowed newcomer Henry to score. And Mike Snyder would hit the final run deep into right for his second home run in two games. The solo shot would wrap up the game with a decision of 5-3. While Lafayette’s pitchers couldn’t keep the runs away, they racked up the strikeouts. All four of the Aviator relievers combined for 13 punchouts.
Lafayette drops to 17-22 and will play the Lumberkings in a rematch tomorrow, July 16, at Loeb Stadium. Fans can view the rematch on Prospect League TV with first pitch coming at 7:00 p.m. EST.
