Hops hammer five homers, top Cubs 13-7

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BROOKINGS – The Sioux Falls (formerly Harrisburg) Hops swatted five home runs on a rare wind-blowing-out summer game at Bob Shelden Field to defeat the Brookings Cubs 13-7 on Sunday night at Bob Shelden Field in Brookings.

The Hops scored a run in the first inning to take the early lead but the Cubs responded in the bottom of the second as Cole Mahlum beat out an infield single to score a hustling Jackson Krogman from second with two outs.

Sioux Falls hit the first of their home runs in the fifth inning. Sam Siegel doubled, then Ian Strum walked. Two pitches later, TJ Miller deposited a pitch over the center field fence to give the Hops a 4-1 lead. After loading the bases on a single, hit batter, and walk, starter Tyler Kreutner was relieved and Krogman came into the game, promptly walking Mitch Steffen to force in the Hops’ fourth run of the inning.

Brookings had momentum in the bottom of the fifth before a base running blunder led to a line out turning into a double play with the heart of the Cubs’ lineup due up.

Siegel led off the top of the sixth with a homer to give Sioux Falls a 6-1 edge but Sam McMacken responded with a long ball of his own in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead to 6-2.

The Hops hit homers three and four to lead off the seventh. Alejandro Cortina and Charlie Dubanoski each left the yard to open the inning, then Siegel’s run-scoring triple plated Sioux Falls’ ninth run of the game. The Hops would add another run on a throwing error and hold a 10-2 lead at the seventh inning stretch.

Miller’s second homer of the game scored three and gave Sioux Falls a 13-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth.

Brookings made things interesting in the ninth. With Sioux Falls having minimal relief pitchers available for starter Bryce Ahrendt, the Hops’ ace stayed in the game as his pitch count crept past the 130-pitch mark.

Evan Miller led off the inning by reaching on an error, Austin Koenig singled, and after a ground out, Kreutner plated a run by also reaching on an error to trim the lead to 13-3.

Jeff Fish then wore a pitch in front of McMacken who proceeded to drive the first pitch he saw into orbit for a grand slam, giving Brookings life but still down six runs with just two outs to work with.

After a ground out, Krogman and Mahlum each singled, but Ahrendt induced a routine pop fly that ended the threat and the game.

McMacken had three hits in five at bats, driving in five runs and scoring two.

Krogman finished 4-for-5 with a run scored while Kreutner and Mahlum each had two hits.

Siegel hit for the cycle for the Hops and finished with five hits, four runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Miller drove in six on his two home runs while Cortina added three hits.

Drue Soukup and Brandon Ruud also had two hits for Sioux Falls.

Kreutner took the loss, giving up five runs (all earned) on eight hits in four and two-third innings. He walked five, struck out two, and hit one batter.

Krogman allowed five earned runs while recording five outs, giving up four hits, walking two, and striking out three.

JaColby Anderson pitched the final two and two-third innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Ahrendt finished with 156 pitches but earned the win. He allowed seven runs (all earned) on 13 hits, issuing just one walk while picking up eight punch outs.

Brookings sits at 9-3 overall and 3-2 in the Sioux Empire League. The Cubs were scheduled to host the Milroy Yankees this week, but scheduling conflicts likely will result in that game either being cancelled or moved into July.

The Cubs’ next game would then not be until July 7 when the Renner Monarchs come to Bob Shelden Field.

Brookings has a busy two-week stretch in July. Without any rescheduled games the Cubs will play seven games between July 7 and 21 including five Sioux Empire League contests.