BROOKINGS The Brookings Cubs struggled in the middle innings as Renner scored four runs in the top of the third and three runs in the top of the sixth inning on the way to a 12-6 victory at Bob Shelden Field on Thursday night.
The loss dropped the Cubs to 12-4 on the season.
Brookings took an early lead in the bottom of the first when Chase McDaniel drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second base on Rhett Zelinskys groundout and scored on an RBI double by Parker Winghart.
The early lead lasted until the top of the third inning when Tony Lanier hit a grand slam off Cubs starter Zach Shastay to give the Monarchs a 4-1 lead. Renner extended its lead to 7-1 when Adam Durfee drove in a run on a ground out and Lanier drove in two more runs on a single in the top of the sixth inning but the Cubs attempted to come back beginning in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Tyler Kruetner began a two-out rally for Brookings with a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Shastay and Lukas Adelman drew walks to load the bases before Noel Burgos drove in a run with a walk and McDaniel delivered a two-run single to cut the lead to 7-4.
Renner responded with two runs scoring on errors in the top of the eighth and the Cubs continued to play catchup. Brookings cut into the lead with a run on a fielders choice off the bat of Adelman and Henry Hammrichs steal of home to cut the lead to 9-6 but the Monarchs pulled away as Lanier capped a nine-RBI night with a bases-clearing, three-run double in the top of the ninth inning.
Shastay took the loss for the Cubs, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and seven walks with four strikeouts. Cole Mahlum allowed three earned runs on two walks with a strikeout while getting an out in the sixth inning. Burgos pitched 2.2 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts and Kreutner finished the game, giving up three earned runs on three hits with a strikeout in the ninth inning.
Brookings had five hits in the game. McDaniel went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI. Winghart finished 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Kruetner went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
The Cubs will return to action on Sunday when they travel to Brandon for a game against the Rats. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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