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Alexandria Aces salvage split with 4-3 win over Cropdusters
Ketz Murray, Aidan O'Brien-Gonzalez shine as Aces salvage split against North Division leader
ALEXANDRIA, VA — It had already been a long day at Frank Mann Field before the nightcap even began.
Alexandria had just come off a 10-6 loss in the completion of a suspended game earlier in the day. The Aces needed a response, and they got one.
Hunter White (West Liberty University) provided it in a hurry, launching a two-run homer in the first inning that set the tone early.
From there, Alexandria’s bullpen did the rest as the Aces held on for a 4-3 victory over the Olney Cropdusters, salvaging a split of an interesting doubleheader before 135 faithful fans.
It started about as well as it possibly could.
Elijah Grant (Presbyterian College) reached to lead off the bottom of the first, and two batters later White got a pitch he liked and didn’t miss it, sending it over the fence for a two-run shot.
Just like that, Alexandria led 2-0, and the home dugout had some juice.
The Aces added another run in the second when Grant’s RBI single scored Cooper Scott (Columbus State), stretching the lead to 3-0.
But Olney answered in the third.
The Cropdusters scored three runs without recording a hit. An Alexandria error opened the door before Cade Walter (Jacksonville University) tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
Olney starter Landon Edwards (University of Maryland) took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits and four walks over four innings. White’s first-inning home run was the biggest blow.
Sean McCabe (College of Charleston) followed with two scoreless, hitless innings while striking out three to keep Olney within striking distance.
The Aces came right back.
In the bottom of the fourth, Alexandria manufactured the go-ahead run. Grant hit into a double play, but Shraden Lechtenberg (Black Hawk College) crossed the plate from third with what proved to be the winning run.
It wasn’t flashy, but it gave the Aces the lead for good.
From there, it was all about the bullpen.
Jack Couture (Haverford College) worked the first three innings before turning things over to Ketz Murray (Marymount University), who was lights-out. Murray threw two hitless innings, struck out two and earned the victory.
After the game, Aces Head Coach Brian Wirth credited Couture with keeping the game under control.
“Couture limited the damage and kept us from giving up the big inning,” Wirth said.
Then Aidan O’Brien-Gonzalez (Fordham University) came in and made sure nobody in the ballpark had to sweat it out.
He retired all six batters he faced over the final two innings, struck out one and picked up his first save of the season.
“Ketz and Aidan came up huge for us. Happy for those guys,” Wirth said. “They’ve both been here since Day 1, and that may have been the best I’ve seen them both out there.”
Olney out-hit Alexandria, 7-5, but the Aces made the most of their opportunities.
White’s first-inning home run sparked the offense, Grant reached base three times, and Alexandria capitalized when it had the chance.
Wirth also praised White’s continued success against left-handed pitching and William Bercaw’s execution of the little things.
“Hunter White back to back days homering against left handed pitching. Bercaw executed some small ball to manufacture a couple runs in the 2nd and 4th,” Wirth said.
In the end, the Aces did enough to secure the victory.
By the final out, Alexandria had earned a split of an interesting day at Frank Mann Field. Olney fell to 25-12, while the Aces improved to 16-21.
It was a beautiful night for baseball, 86 degrees with a steady breeze that made for a comfortable evening at Frank Mann Field.
After taking this photo, I settled into my usual spot just outside the fence near the flagpole in center field, shoulder to shoulder with the regulars who gather there night after night.
We’ve gotten to know each other over the course of the season, and by the final out everyone around me seemed just as happy with the win as the players.
The game lasted just 2 hours and 4 minutes under the lights at Frank Mann Field.
And so…Can a timely home run and dominant bullpen performance change the momentum of an entire season? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
