Geneva, IL – The Peoria Chiefs erased a three-run deficit then blew a four-run lead but scored two in the 11th to beat the Kane County Cougars 11-9 Monday afternoon in the regular season finale. The win moves the Chiefs to 39-31 in the second half and 69-70 overall with the MWL Playoffs starting Wednesday at Dozer Park.
The Chiefs took a 1-0 lead in the first against Riley Smith. With one out Kramer Robertson singled, Evan Mendoza singled and JR Davis put the Chiefs on top with a hit.
Peoria was down 4-1 when they rallied against Smith in the fourth. Juan Yepez led off with a double and Stefan Trosclair launched his 15th home run of the season to cut the deficit to 4-3. Dennis Ortega and Matt Fielder followed with singles before Mick Fennell’s one out fielders’ choice tied the game 4-4.
The Chiefs took the lead in the fifth against Tyler Mark. Mendoza doubled and with one out moved to third on a single by Yepez. Trosclair’s sacrifice fly made it 5-4 and Yepez later scored on a wild pitch. Peoria scored three more in the sixth against Jake Winston. Robertson singled home Fielder with one out and Nick Plummer scored on a Mendoza sac fly. Robertson stole second and scored on an error to put the Chiefs up 9-4. Kane County scored five late runs to tie the game.
Both teams put position players on the mound for extras. The Chiefs took an 11-9 lead off catcher-turned-pitcher Alexis Olmeda in the 11th. Robertson singled and moved to third on a double Mendoza. With one out a sacrifice fly from Juan Yepez put he Chiefs on top and a wild pitch made it 11-9.
Ronnie Williams allowed four runs on four hits over 1 2/3 innings in a no-decision as he hit one, allowed a homer and struck out two. Dewin Perez threw 2 1/3 perfect innings in which he struck out four. Evan Kruczynski allowed one unearned run on a walk and he struck out four over two hitless innings. Frederis Parra allowed a hit over one shutout inning. Colton Thomson allowed one run on two hits in 1/3 of an inning with a walk and a strikeout. Austin Sexton allowed two unearned runs on one hits over 1 2/3 while striking out two. Outfielder Mick Fennell allowed one run on two hits in 1/3 of an inning for a blown save. Outfielder Matt Fiedler (1-0) earned his first pro win with two shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit.
