Sports Headlines

Wingnuts Stay Undefeated in Spring Ball with 3-2 Win

Reporter: Wingnuts Sports Information

The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 3-2 at Hummer Sports Park on Monday night.

The Wingnuts broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning to take their first lead of the night. Salomon Manriquez led off with a line drive single to center and advanced to second when Jake Kahaulelio was hit by a pitch. Mike Conroy beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases with nobody out. Ryan Khoury drove in Manriquez with a sacrifice fly to right-center. John Rodriguez drew a bases loaded walk to make it 3-1, and finished the game 2 for 2. Rodriguez has now reached base in all nine of his plate appearances this spring with five hits, three walks, and a hit batsman.

Mike Conroy made the defensive play of the night to save the game in the top of the ninth. With runners on second and third and one out, Conroy made a diving catch on Victor Mercedes' line drive to left. The play resulted in a sacrifice fly, but prevented the tying run from coming in to score. Derrick Miramontes notched the final out, retiring pinch hitter Brad Payne on a groundout to second base to earn the save.

Lincoln took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Mike Provencher lined a single to right to lead off the game and took second on Mercedes' groundout to shortstop. Stephen Holdren cashed in the early chance with a double to left field.

Wichita tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Jared McDonld doubled to center leading off the inning and advanced to third when Lincoln right-hander Wade Mackey was charged with a balk. Rodriguez then doubled to left-center to draw the Wingnuts even at 1-1.

Moises Melendez started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision. Melendez allowed one earned run on four hits in two innings. Justin Edwards started for Lincoln and threw two scoreless innings in a no-decision.

Derek Christensen, Jeff Nadeau, and Ben Graham each worked two scoreless innings of relief. Graham earned the win.

Brandon Cooney took the loss for Lincoln, allowing the two earned runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The Wingnuts are now 5-0 this spring.

The Wingnuts complete their Spring Training schedule on Tuesday afternoon when they host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday's game can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.kleyam.com

The Wingnuts open the 2012 regular season on Thursday, May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or visiting www.selectaseat.com

For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com