Two Homers by Arnold Power Hawks Past Litchfield

In the annual matchup of the teams separated by just a few miles of Highway 22, the Hawks won for the fifth straight time as they defeated the home team by a score of 7-2 last Friday.

Neither team was able to score over the first three innings as the two pitchers combined to allow only three hits total in those innings. The fourth inning was a different story. Mike Arnold hit a solo home run with one out to give the Hawks the early lead. The Blues responded in the bottom of the inning with three hits that led to two runs and a quick jump to a 2-1 lead.

Al Faber pitched well for the Hawks over the seven total innings he threw, throwing his last pitch of the game with the Hawks still trailing by one. But he would get the win as the Hawks would take the lead in the top of the eighth. With one out, Heath Kramer and Joe Thiel both singled. After a walk to Matthew Pennertz loaded the bases, Dan Berg doubled to right-center, scoring two and giving the Hawks the lead. Mike Arnold then pounded the 3-1 offering over the left field fence for his second home run of the game. Jeff Haag followed that up with a single and one out later scored on a Brandon Moehrle single to give the Hawks a 7-2 lead.

Heath Kramer pitched a scoreless eighth and Matthew Pennertz pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the victory for Faber and the Hawks. It marked the third time in the last four games for the Hawks in which they have scored six or more runs in the eighth inning to come from behind to win. The Eden Valley team has only one game left before playoffs when they travel to Luxemburg next Sunday for a 3:00 game.

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