The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes kept their early-season momentum rolling Saturday night, earning their third consecutive victory with a 3-1 win over the Kokomo Creek Chubs.
Springfield’s pitching staff was outstanding, limiting Kokomo to just two hits while striking out nine batters. Jacob King picked up the win after throwing five hitless innings, allowing no runs while striking out four. Nick Sullivan, Elijah Curtis, and Anthony Ribes combined to close out the final four innings, with Ribes earning the save.
The Horseshoes struck first in the fourth inning when Kannon Kirk scored on a Trey Blanchette RBI single to right field, giving Springfield a 1-0 lead.
Springfield added another run in the fifth when General Schofield came home on an RBI double by AJ Keely to make it 2-0.
Kokomo cut the deficit in half during the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly from Collin Osenbaugh that scored Stone Powell. The Horseshoes answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame when Griffin Novacek blasted a solo home run to right field, extending the lead to 3-1.
That insurance run proved to be enough as Springfield’s bullpen shut the door the rest of the way.
The Horseshoes collected six hits in the victory, led by Kannon Kirk’s 2-for-4 performance. Novacek, Blanchette, AJ Keely, Trey Blanchette, and General Schofield each contributed a hit, while Novacek, Blanchette, and Keely drove in Springfield’s three runs.
Kokomo starter Donovan Dykas suffered the loss despite pitching six innings and allowing just three runs on six hits.
Top Performers
Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
- Jacob King (W): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 4 K
- Kannon Kirk: 2-for-4, run scored
- Griffin Novacek: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, run scored
- Trey Blanchette: 1-for-3, RBI
- AJ Keely: 1-for-3, RBI double
Kokomo Creek Chubs
- Stone Powell: 1-for-2, run scored, 2 walks
- Brayden Hibler: 1-for-3
- Donovan Dykas: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 K
Springfield will look to keep its winning streak alive when it returns to action Sunday.
Coach Brad Gyorkos talks big time win for the Shoes’
Griffin Novacek talks about his recent success behind the plate for the Shoes’
#3 AJ Keely with the great diving stop and out for the Shoes’
#3 AJ Keely with the BIG TIME RBI Double for the Shoes’
#4 Micah Dean shows off the ARM to get the out for Lucky Horseshoes.
#10 General Schofield with the smooth single for the Shoes’
#10 General Schofield with the fantastic catch in center for the Shoes’
#17 Trey Blanchette with the RBI Double for the Lucky Horseshoes.
Shoes’ #23 Griffin Novacek says “SEE YOU LATER” for the SOLO BOMB tonight.
Griffin has 5HRs and 15RBIs already…
#4 Micah Dean was locked in tonight on defense for the Shoes’ . THATS NOT EVEN FAIR.