Tuesday, October 30, 2091
2091 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game 3 at The Swamp in La Claire
LAGRANGE LASHES LA CLAIRE IN 3RD GAME FOR 2-1 EDGE
The LaGrange Gators lashed out with a fury with 6 runs in the first inning of game three of the Pro Cup Series to smack the La Claire Lynx 8-4 for a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven series. They added 2 more scores in the 3rd for insurance and were never really threatened. LaGrange rapped 11 hits and 2 homers and lived up to their reputation as one of the best attacks in the IPA. They got just enough pitching to hold off La Claire the last half of the game at The Swamp.
Sparking the Gators' offensive feast were Evon Layton (.333 BA/12 RBI), Lou Buckram (.278 BA/3 HR/9 RBI) and Andre Dujardin (.250 BA/2 RBI) with 2 ribbies apiece. Buckram and Lenny Lang (.313 BA/2 HR/8 RBI) slammed solo roundtrippers and Remy Martin (.141 BA), Charley Gray (.343 BA/10 RI), Lang and Dujardin socked 2 hits each.
Southpaw Andre Dujardin (4-0/2.31 ERA) did well enough to win, but had a tough time, ringing up his 4th straight win in the playoffs. He was spanked for 3 runs and 7 hits in his 6 and 2-thirds innings. Maurice Crandall finished up, but did allow one run on a solo homer in 2 and one-thirds frames of relief.
La Claire banged out 10 hits. Judah Pickens (.233 BA) cracked 3 hits to top the Lynx at the plate. Rick Wall (.339 BA) and Bill Gallagher (.245 BA) added 2 hits each in the loss. Howie Ellenberger (.214 BA/12 RBI) chimed in with his 4th postseason homer.
LaGrange totally destroyed La Claire starter Roger Arenado (3-1/4.07 ERA) for all 6 scores in the first frame. It was his first defeat of the postseason and greatly inflated his ERA.
The Gators now have the homefield advantage heading into game four at The Swamp in LaGrange.
