Snappers break tie with high five in sixth
Beloit hurler Tom Stuifbergen (W, 6-2) had hurled four and two-thirds shutout innings before hitting a snag in the fifth. Tim Ferguson reached base on a Reggie Williams fielding error at second, and the ensuing batter Alex McClure brought him home with a double to put the Bees on the board. Whit Merrifield followed with a triple to bring his team to within one and scored moments later on a wild pitch with Jake Kuebler batting.
The contest did not remain tied for long, however, as Steven Liddle slammed Keaton Hayenga's second pitch of the top of the sixth over the right field fence to give Beloit a 4-3 lead. Back-to-back walks later, Hayenga (L, 1-12) was lifted in favor of Matt Mitchell, who did not fare much better. The righty allowed both inherited runners to score as well as two of his own.
The Bees countered in the seventh with two runs aided by a pair of Beloit fielding miscues. With runners on first and third, Ben Theriot, representing the game-tying run, grounded out to end the inning, and the Bees would not have another serious opportunity.
Stuifbergen was touched for five runs on 10 hits in six and a third innings, though only one of the runs was earned. Merrifield finished a homer shy of the cycle and added a walk as well.
The Bees and Snappers will go toe-to-toe in game two on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on Louisa Communications Kids Day. Kids can run the bases, and one lucky youngster will go home with a brand new bike.