The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes opened their season on the road Tuesday night against the Danville Dans, battling throughout the contest before falling 5-3 in a competitive season opener.
Springfield struck first in the top of the second inning when Ethan Burkhardt launched the first home run of the Lucky Horseshoes season to give Springfield a 1-0 lead. The solo shot provided an early spark for the Shoes offense.
Danville answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Josiah Sems drew an RBI walk to tie the game before Amir Streeter grounded out to first, bringing home another run to put the Dans ahead 2-1.
The Lucky Horseshoes responded in the third inning. After AJ Keely reached and the bases became loaded, Griffin Novacek worked a clutch RBI walk to even the score at 2-2.
Pitching and defense controlled much of the middle innings before the Dans broke through again in the fifth. A passed ball allowed Josiah Sems to score and give Danville a 3-2 advantage. Later in the inning, Carson Brady added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-2.
Springfield continued to battle late into the game. In the eighth inning, Brandon Valentin came around to score after Griffin Novacek reached on a Danville error, cutting the deficit to 4-3 and giving the Lucky Horseshoes momentum heading into the bottom half.
However, Danville answered again as Amir Streeter aggressively moved around the bases and eventually scored on a catcher error to make it 5-3, which held as the final score.
Burkhardt accounted for Springfield’s lone hit of the evening with his solo homer, while Novacek drove in two runs. Brandon Valentin and AJ Keely each crossed the plate once for the Lucky Horseshoes.
On the mound, Jacob King got the Opening Day start and tossed four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three. Cash Clementi and Anthony Ribes combined for three innings of solid relief, allowing just one earned run.
Danville managed only two hits in the game but worked nine walks and capitalized on Springfield miscues to secure the victory. Mason McReynolds recorded both hits for the Dans, while Amir Streeter scored twice and drove in a run.
The Lucky Horseshoes will look to bounce back tomorrow night as they play the Dans once again.