Sports Staff

After the Jackson Bulls took a 4-0 lead, it looked as though the Spencer Cardinals' two-game losing streak would continue. However, thanks to two big innings, the Cardinals reverted to their winning ways with an 11-7 victory Wednesday night.

Jackson broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with four runs on one hit, two errors and two walks. Spencer did not hesitate to reclaim the lead, plating six runs in the bottom of the fourth. Leadoff batter Will Glienke drilled a single, and was driven home by a Seth Thomas double. Jeremy Payne delivered an RBI single to make the score 4-2 Bulls. With two outs in the inning, the Cardinals knocked in four more runs on four consecutive hits. Back-to-back singles by Clark Egdorf and Mitch Kurth, a triple by Jeff Steen and a double from Mike Koenecke put Spencer on top 6-4.

"Falling behind 4-0 right away, we could have rolled over and quit, but these guys showed how they can battle with anyone." said Cardinals manager Jeff Mahrt.

Jackson scored two runs to tie the game in the seventh, but once again the Cardinals retaliated, scoring four runs in a wild half-inning. Glienke led off the seventh with a triple, his third hit of the ballgame. After a Thomas walk and an out, Glienke scored on a wild pitch. After a single by Payne, Mitch Feller walked to load the bases. Thomas and Payne scored on an error by the Bulls third baseman, and Spencer scored its 10th run of the contest when Feller scored on a wild pitch.

"Things kind of got out of hand for a while, but, we, for the most part, maintained our composure and played solid baseball." commented Mahrt.

In the eighth inning, Jackson tallied a run on a Cardinal error to cut the lead to 10-7, but Mitch Fandel's RBI double in the bottom of the eighth gave Spencer its winning margin.

Andrew Engesser recorded the win for the Cardinals as he pitched the middle three innings, striking out four while walking one Jackson batter. Starting pitcher Nick Redding went four innings, allowing two hits. Mitch Fandel pitched two hitless innings for the save.

At the plate, Jeremy Payne had a 3-for-5 night with an RBI while Will Glienke finished 3-4 with a triple. Clark Egdorf was 2-5 with a double and an RBI. Jeff Steen, Mike Koenecke, Seth Thomas, and Mitch Fandel also drove in runs for Spencer.

The Spencer's record now stands at 10-3. The Cardinals have a two-game homestand this weekend as they take on the Adrian A's at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and the Fairmont Martins 2:00 p.m. Sunday.