Princeton Rays split doubleheader against Kingston with 4-3 loss in game two

The Game: The Princeton Rays split Sunday’s doubleheader against the Kingsport Mets by losing game two in extra innings by the score of 4-3. Kingsport took a early lead by scoring three runs in the first inning. Pedro Zapata led off the inning with a walk, then stole second and third. John Semel followed with a walk and Zapata scored on a ball four wild pitch. Ryan Mollica singled to right to advance Semel to second, then Semel stole third. Joseph Bonfe drew a walk to load the bases. Semel scored on a force out by Michael Moras, then Kurt Steinhauer drove in a run with a sac fly to score Mollica and suddenly the Mets had a 3-0 lead.

Princeton battled back with a three run inning of their own in the third to tie the game. Seth Henry reached on an error to lead off the inning, Henry then stole second, followed by a walk issued to Brian Bryles. Cody Rogers singled home Henry with a single to right. Bryles and Rogers then pull a double steal to put both runners in scoring position. Then David Wendt delivers a two run single to tie the game 3-3.

The game remained tied at the end of the doubleheader regulation of seven innings and forced extra innings. The Mets broke the tie in the home half of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Kurt Steinhauer to score Joseph Bonfe to win the game for the Mets.

Tyler Oakes pitched 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 2 hits while striking out 2 and walking 4. Alex Koronis was the losing pitcher allowing the winning run and giving up 3 hits on 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in 3 1/3 innings. Tom Chism earned the win for Kingsport.

What Went Right: David Wendt; 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.

What Went Wrong: Ty Morrison; 0 for 4 with 2 K’s.

A Look Ahead: The Rays and Mets meet again on Monday at Hunter Wright Stadium. Julius Dettrich (3-4) will face Eduardo Aldama (3-0).