July 28, 2017 at 12:14 p.m.
Snowhawks snap losing skid
Snowhawks snap losing skid
Smiley's put up a fight in the early innings and headed into the bottom of the fourth inning tied.
Finally, the Snowhawks began to get the big hits missing in the previous three weeks, putting together back-to-back 5-run innings to pull away for a 22-10 win.
"It's been a long time since we had four (losses) in a row," Lake Tomahawk manager Jeff Smith said. "We got hits when we needed them today. The hits finally went through and it was a good feeling. They had a good ball game. They had a few errors and couldn't get guys across."
Smiley's scored three runs in the top of the first inning, but the Snowhawks were able to respond in the bottom half, scoring four on consecutive hits by Ryan Schowalter, Cole Punches and Derek Young.
Lake Tomahawk added another run in the second, but Smiley's battled back to tie it thanks to runs from Tom Ziamba and John Ottosen.
Finally, the offense exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning. James Schmidt recorded a double, followed by three consecutive singles from Smith, Donny Moore and Schowalter, before Derek Young was able to clear the bases and score himself after a long fly ball was dropped by Smiley's.
The Snowhawks added five more runs in the fifth, thanks to runs from Nick Mercks, Billy Kuckahn, Schmidt, Shawn Moran and Smith.
The offensive barrage would continue as Lake Tomahawk got two more runs in the sixth - including a solo home run from Punches - and four in the seventh on runs from Smith, Moore, Schowalter and Punches.
"We finally got some guys and some of the hits that we did get went through," Smith said. "We were able to put some runs across the plate. Otherwise it was a nip and tuck game until that fourth inning. It's good to see some shots get through for once, instead of going right at the guys."
The win snaps the three-game losing skid and gives the Snowhawks some momentum going forward.
After struggling to produce runs and hits at a consistent clip recently, the balls finally started to fall in open space and got the proverbial monkey off the Snowhawks' backs.
"It definitely will be good momentum going into the next game," Smith said.
The win was not only important to snap the losing streak, it was important to gain some momentum and confidence heading into next week's game.
The Coaching All-Stars come to town on Monday, and the Snowhawks don't want a repeat performance of last year's game, which the Coaching All-Stars won.
"They're a good team and have good players," Smith said. "We've played them quite a few times and they beat us for the first time last year so they'll be coming after us."
The Snowhawks will host the Coaching All-Stars at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
Nick Sabato may be reached at [email protected] or via Twitter @SabatoNick.
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