Patriots Lose to Defending Champions
By Karen Willdermood
Sports Information Director, Metropolitan Collegiate Summer Baseball League of Illinois
August 8, 2011 - The Patriots lost this afternoon to the seven-time defending champions, Baltimore Orioles, 9-3.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the third, scoring after Chris Ripple ripped a double down the first baseline to bring in lead-off batter Ryan Kiesel. Pitcher Bobby Beelen held the Orioles scoreless until Harry Slade, Baltimore’s designated hitter, smashed a three-run homer giving the Orioles a 3-1 lead.
A solo four-bagger by Tom Hooker in the sixth kept the Patriots close in the game, but the Orioles came back in the seventh, with a solo homerun followed by another three-run blast, making the score 9-2. Kyle Huber crushed another homerun in the eighth, adding the final Patriots run of the game.
After entering in the seventh with the score 9-2, Patriots pitcher Nate Adams prevented any further damage, allowing only three hits and no runs to finish the game.
The Patriots will play again Tuesday, August 9th, against the Cobras from Livonia at 10:00am at Arcurio Field.