FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2019
CONTACT: Max Thoma
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FRANKLIN, WIS. — The RailCats won the finale of a four-game set in Wisconsin on Thursday night in dramatic fashion with a Marcus Mooney go-ahead homerun in the tenth. It marked the first homerun in his four-year professional baseball career.

The inaugural series at the just-opened Routine Field ends with the RailCats taking three of four games.

Gary (16-21) struck early with two runs in the first. Alex Crosby walked to leadoff the game and after consecutive singles from Evan Marzilli and Randy Santiesteban, the bases were loaded with nobody out. Crosby scored the game’s first run on a balk from Zach Wescott and a sac-fly off the bat of Danny De La Calle made in 2-0.

The RailCats would add in the third. Santiesteban and Collin Willis hit a couple bloop-singles to start off the inning and runners were aboard at first and third with no outs. Ray Jones then grounded out to Cesar Valera at short, plating Santiesteban from third base.

But it wouldn’t stay 3-0 for long.

In that same third inning Milwaukee (16-23) would get their offense going. Trevor Lubking hit Christ Conley with a 1-2 pitch, the first batter he’s hit all season, and one pitch later Jeff Chandler launched his first professional baseball homerun. After drawing a walk later on that same inning, Garrett Copeland would come around to score on a Manuel Boscan triple off the wall in right to tie the game.

However, the next half inning the ‘Cats would regain the lead. Will Savage, making his first appearance in the series, singled in the fourth and swiped second base with two outs. A Marzilli single to left would score him and give Gary the lead right back, 4-3.

The Milkmen would re-tie the game as Valera scored on an errant throw to third from RailCats catcher Danny De La Calle; Valera and Copeland were attempting a double-steal. The unearned run would be the final run charged to Lubking, who went six innings and didn’t factor in the decision.

Milwaukee would then take their first lead in the seventh. And once again it would be Valera crossing the plate. The Shortstop singled with one out and promptly stole second, advancing to third on the second errant throw of the game from De La Calle. Boscan stepped up to plate with two outs and delivered a go-ahead double to make it a 5-4 game.

The score would remain the same into the ninth.

Evan Marzilli dropped down a bunt single to start the inning and stole second as Colin Willis struck out for the second out. One out away from settling for a series split, Ray Jones ripped an RBI-triple off the wall in dead-center field.

Sandy Lugo (1-2) would come in for the ninth. He hit the first batter he faced and after Copeland stole second, Greg Tagert decided to intentionally walk Manuel Boscon with two outs. Sandy Lungo got Jose Rosario to pop out on the infield and the game would head to extra innings.

But only one more inning was needed as Marcus Mooney blasted his first homerun in four years of playing professional baseball. Mooney hit a towering drive down the line in left that just did clear the wall. Gary took the lead 6-5 and would call on their newest asset to close things out.

Jack Alkire, signed yesterday, came out to pitch the tenth, making his professional baseball debut. He struck out the first two batters he faced and after a Sam Dexter double and a walk to Conley, he struck out Jeff Chandler to pick up the save and seal the victory. Former RailCat Myles Smith (1-2) took his loss of the season.

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Friday for a three-game homestand vs. the reigning American Association Champion Kansas City T-Bones. Right-hander Justin Sinibaldi (0-2, 2.80) gets the ball for the RailCats in the opening game of the series while the T-Bones have yet to announce their starter.

Friday’s game is at 7:10 p.m. and is AmeriCAN Beer Fest, presented by Berey Bros., Indiana 105 Country Night, and another Fifth Third Bank Fireworks Friday.

Ticket packages for the 2019 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

--RAILCATS--