Micksburg suffers first defeat 6-4 to Pontiac

from Tim Ferrigan
Friday July 28 8pm Micksburg 4 at Pontiac 6 (at Fort Coulonge)

Micksburg 310 000 0 - 4
Pontiac 120 003 X - 6

Winner Lenny Burger (complete)
Loser Corey Costello (complete)

Micksburg came out hard in the first, hitting the veteran Burger hard and building a big 3 run lead for ace Corey Costello before he threw his first pitch. Leading off for the Royals in the bottom of the first was shortstop Matt Greer, who took Costello's second pitch over the left field wall to give the Royals some life.

In the second, Micksburg added to their lead when outfielder Andy Bean hit a solo homer. In the bottom of the second, the Royals fought to stay in the game. With two men on, Travis Dorzek hit a clutch single to score the pitcher Burger. Next Shawn Laframboise scored on a sac fly by Jacques Pilon to get the Royals within a run.

Both pitchers found there groove in the third and Micksburg held the one run lead going into the bottom of the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Royals 3rd baseman Tony Newberry would start things off with a single and was then moved to second on a bunt by catcher Joe McCleary who reached first safely. With one out and runners on first and second Shawn Laframboise hit a single to tie the game at 4. With runners on the corners and one out, Travis Dorzek came through again, with a well placed bunt that confused the Twins infield and scored both runners to put the Royals up by 2. Burger shut down the Twins in the top of the seventh to secure the win for the Royals, handing Micksburg their first loss of the '06 season.