Selects vs. Smoke
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
The Selects dropped their second straight on Tuesday night, falling below 0.500 for the first time since 2012 with a 9-3 loss to the Smoke.
The Selects opened the scoring in the top of the first when Ty Sebastian singled, stole second, and scored on a double off the bat of hot-hitting Darren Strickland. Alas, the lead would be short-lived.
Toeing the rubber for the first time this season, Sebastian struggled with control issues, allowing two runs despite just one hit in the bottom of the first, as the Smoke took a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish. They added two apiece in the third and fourth to push their advantage to 6-1, ending Sebastian's outing despite amassing 10 strikeouts over just four innings.
The Selects showed some life in the top of the fifth, as Strickland drew a two-out walk, Shayne Riepert ripped a pinch-hit single, and Brett Pfeifer chased them both home with a pinch-hit double of his own, shaving the Smoke's advantage to 6-3. It was as close as they would get, as the Smoke put up three more runs off reliever Scott Clark to put the game out of reach.
The game marked Sebastian's return to the squad after a three-year absence, while founding Select Glen Hall returned to action after missing 2014 and making just two spot appearances in 2015. Hall went 1-2 with a double in what should be the first of many outings for the veteran this year.
MVP: Darren Strickland, 1B