HAMMOND, Ind. – The Griffith Generals floundered on the defensive side of the ball for the second night in a row, as they logged six errors for the second time this season in a 9-1 loss to the Vikings. The Generals now have ten total errors in back-to-back games, being outscored by their opponents 21-3. They now have 45 errors in 17 games played.
Jimmy Fairley falls to 0-3 on the year after his defense, once again, hung him out to dry. He pitched 4.1 innings, with only five of his eight runs being earned. Rodney Lester, however, has an excellent relief outing unhindered by defensive mistakes, as he went 3.2 innings, only allowing one earned run.
The Generals had two new faces in their lineup: Dan Barrios and Max Hensler. Barrios went 0-4 with a walk, and Hensler had a double and two walks, reaching base three out of four times. Hensler’s double was the first hit of the night for the Generals in the second inning, but he was stranded on base like several of his teammates throughout the game. The only Generals run that scored was on a Mark Ross steal of second that Diego Lopez took advantage of, stealing home from third on a heads-up baserunning play.
“It was fun,” said Hensler on his first day with the Generals. “Had a good time with the guys. Haven’t played ball in a month and a half now, but it was good to have a nice day.” despite having two errors on defense, Hensler’s good plays in the hot corner heavily outweighed his mistakes.
Coach Romsek was blunt with his team after the loss, citing that better defense is a necessity. The Generals have only one game this season where they have not made an error. They have ten games where they have had at least two defensive mistakes.
“Obviously, I’m always open to extra work with the guys,” remarked Romsek. “We’re a little bit out of position with Ronnie [Nowak] being out right now. We’re just trying to get through this stretch defensively until we get our shortstop back. We’re just gonna have to gut it out and get through it.” Nowak, who is on a family vacation, is estimated to get back in time for the Generals’ June 27 matchup against the Corn Dogs.
The Generals will return home tomorrow to face the Elkhart County Miracle at 7:10 p.m. The Generals have won three out of four games against them so far this season.