The good news is La Porte downed Merrillville 11-1 in a five inning mercy rule win Tuesday night at Schreiber Field. The bad news is RJ Anglin and Grant Olson both left the game with knee pain. Anglin, who has had two major knee injuries in his high school career, motioned to the dugout after the game’s first pitch. After talking with the trainer and coach Scott Upp, he left the game. Olson, was one out away from a five inning one hit shutout victory when he grabbed for his right knee after throwing a fastball. Olson left after striking out ten, walking five, hitting one batter and allowing one hit. He was charged with a run when a bloop single off reliever Kade Flores drove in the Pirates only run. Both players were moving around with no noticeable issues post game.

 

After a scoreless first, LP exploded for five runs in the second inning. Drew Catron led off with a solid single to left. With one out the Slicers executed a perfect hit and run. With Catron running, Kai Jones singled through the right side putting runners on first and third. Ben Dubbs dropped a double into left to drive in Catron. Jones and Dubbs scored on Carter Moses’ double to left. Tommy Samuelson drove in Moses and Kade Flores, who had walked, with a base hit.

 

Jones and Dubbs got base hits to start the four run Slicer third inning. Moses drove in Jones with his second double of the game and Dubbs scored on a Brock Schultz sacrifice fly. Tommy Samuelson knocked in Moses with a long triple and scored on a throwing error. It was 9-0 LP after three innings. 

 

LP scored their tenth run in the bottom of the fourth. Pinch hitter Thomas Hill was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a base hit by Jax Land. Hill scored on an error by Pirate second baseman Kaleb Henry. 

 

The Slicers couldn’t close the game out in the top of the fifth. Olson walk two and struck out two to start the inning. Kade Flores came in to throw after Olson tweaked his knee and allowed a soft blooper to left scoring Darien Wiggins. Brock Schultz made a nice throw from left throwing Brady Barnett out at third on the play to end the inning.

 

The Slicers ended the game in the bottom of the fifth after two were out. Catron single to center and Drew Flores got an infield hit. Jones ended the game with a single to left, his third of the game, to drive in Catron for the game ender.

 

Jones was named the Salisbury and Spence Player of the Game going three for four, scoring twice and driving in the final run. Dubbs, Moses, Samuelson, and Catron each had two hits. Samuelson and Moses had three RBI. 

 

La Porte improves to 15-7 on the season and 8-3 in the DAC. The Slicers travel to Merrillville Wednesday for a rematch.