Massetti Strong, but Wingnuts Fall to X's

SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park on Saturday night.

Dustin Jones and Darrick Hale singled off of Luke Massetti in the bottom of the first to lead off the inning.  Massetti struck out Jon Owings, but after a double steal, Ray Serrano singled to center to drive in both runners.

The Wingnuts cut the Explorers lead in half in the top of the fourth.  With second and third and one out, Jeff Christy singled to short center to score Michael Thompson from third base.

Sioux City extended its lead in the bottom of the inning, led by a one-out solo home run to left-center by Jared Keel, his second homer in as many nights.  Derek Schermerhorn singled two batters later and scored from second on a two-out, RBI double by Dustin Jones down the left field line.

Tony Mansolino hit an infield single with the bases loaded in the sixth to pull the Wingnuts back within two runs to cut the lead to 4-2, but that would be the final run the Wingnuts scored in the game.

Luke Massetti pitched eight strong innings to keep the Wingnuts in the game.  Massetti allowed four runs on 11 scattered hits, striking out eight and walking none in a complete game loss.  Ty Marotz allowed two earned runs in seven innings for the win.  Brett Reid struck out two in the ninth to earn the save.  Wichita left 11 runners on base in the loss.  Ryan Patterson and Jeff Christy each extended their hitting streaks to 11 games.

The teams finish their three-game series Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.  The Wingnuts have not announced a starting pitcher for the game.  Sioux City goes with right-hander Jae Jung.  All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at www.kleyam.com  The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 18th when they host a double header against the Explorers beginning at 5:05 p.m.  For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.

-Wingnuts-