Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Hokenson Helps SLP Orioles beat Rogers Royals

 A big throng gathered at Derrick Keller Field at Dakota Park for ALS Night Wednesday and they saw Kristofer Hokenson drive in the game winning run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 4-3 win over the Rogers Royals.  

The Orioles took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning when Stanley Regguinti scored on an error by Royals third baseman Matthew Garding.  

Rogers would even the score in the top of the third on Rychen Downs' ground rule double that bounce over the fence and enabled Max Robinson to cross home plate.  St. Louis Park would regain the lead in the bottom of the third on Drew Boyum's RBI single that scored Regguinti and Ben Farley would put the Orioles ahead by two when he scored after Ethan Schmitz reached first base on an error by Rogers second baseman Jack Olsen.  

Both teams would tally in the fifth inning.  The Royals would tie the game with two runs on Olsen's RBI double that scored Zach Evenson and Olsen headed home on a grounded out to Oriole second baseman Ethan Schmitz by Austin Shingledecker.  The Orioles would score the game winning run as Ben Farley was hit by a pitch, stole second base and went to third on a wild pitch.  Then Hokenson hit a sacrifice fly to left field and Farley was able to tag up and cross the plate.  

Rogers did have opportunities to regain the lead.  In the top of the sixth, Nathan Gerding led off the inning with a walk but he was picked off first base on a throw from St. Louis Park catcher Tait Myers.  Hokenson, pitching in relief of starting pitcher Stefano Giovanelli hit Tyson Vylasek in the face with a pitch and he had to leave the game.  Hokenson would retire the next two batters after giving up a walk to pinch hitter Chase Baxter.  

In the top of the seventh, Hokenson struck out the first two batters, then gave up up singles to Olsen and Shingledecker that put the tying run at second base.  Could the game head to the bottom of the seventh and a potential walkoff win for the Orioles?  The answer would be know when home plate umpire Scott Schuler ruled that Rychan Davis checked his swing and Hokenson recorded his third strikeout of the inning to pick up the save. 

Prior to the start of the game, Giovanelli's mother Lynn, who was diagnosed with ALS threw out the first pitch.  

St. Louis Park improved their record to 11-7 and will host the Hopkins Royals on Friday, May 21 at 6 PM at Derrick Keller Field.  It will also be Senior Night.  Rogers ended a five game winniing streak and fell to 11-6.  They will host the Champlin Park Rebels on Thursday, May 20 at 4:30 PM.  

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