Abby uses four-run inning to top RL

By Nathaniel Underwood

Tanner Hraby gave up just two unearned runs over seven innings of work on the mound, Brett Nelson collected three hits and drove in two runs for Abbotsford and the Merchants defeated the Rib Lake Osprey 7-2 in an exhibition match at home on Sunday. The win pushed the Merchants’ record to 6-3 this season.

After an opening salvo of runs for both squads in the first inning, the Abbotsford defense locked down the Osprey’s offense the rest of the contest. Hraby, JV Castillo and Payton Schreiber combined to throw eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits over that span.

While the contest eventually turned into a relatively low-scoring affair, both defenses needed some time to settle into the game. Two defensive miscues by the Merchants allowed a pair of one-out singles to come around to score for Rib Lake in the top of the first. However, Abbotsford was able to add two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame, Castillo and Mateo Lopez crossing the plate following a pair of errors by the Osprey.

A four-run third inning turned the game in the Merchants’ favor. A leadoff single from Blake Jakobi, a walk courtesy of Castillo and an infield hit for Lopez loaded the bases with no outs. While Rib Lake pitcher Bryant Konieczny was able to bounce back with back-to-back strikeouts, Nelson delivered in the clutch for Abbotsford. A single to centerfield drove in two runs for the Merchants, breaking the 2-2 tie.

Aaron Morrow came through with another big hit for Abbotsford. After Nelson stole second, Morrow took advantage of the two runners in scoring position, driving in both with a single of his own to put the home team up 6-2.

A pitchers’ duel ensued following the Merchants’ big offensive inning. Only one more run scored over the final six frames as both lineups struggled to find holes in the opposing defenses.

Abbotsford managed to eke out an insurance run in the sixth. Hraby drew a two-out walk and promptly stole second and third to put him in position to score on an infield single by Jakobi.

Hraby finished with an impressive line for the Merchants. He allowed two runs, both unearned, on four hits and two walks over seven innings of work, striking out four batters in the process. Castillo and Schreiber slammed the door in the eighth and ninth, neither allowing a hit or a walk in their one inning on the mound. Castillo also struck out a batter.

Nelson had a solid approach at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Jakobi also had multiple hits, registering two singles, an RBI and a run scored. Morrow was 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs, Castillo had two walks and two runs scored and Lopez went 1-for-4 and scored twice. Lopez and Nelson both registered a stolen base while Hraby had two himself.

The Merchants will be back in action on Friday, June 20, when they take on the Merrill Rangers at home. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

WATCHING IT FLY - JV Castillo, pictured above during the Abby Fest exhibition game against Dorchester, walked twice and scored two runs in the Merchants victory over Rib Lake last Sunday. He also pitched a scoreless eighth inning, holding the Osprey at bay.

STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD