Yesterday, Alex Loosbrock turned in probably the best start of the season thus far of any Renegades starter. Tonight, Kaden Helsel upped the ante emphatically as the Jefferson City Renegades (3-2) took care of the Springfield Redbirds (3-5) in the ninth for a 2-1 victory.
Helsel made Renegades history tonight, punching out a record twelve Redbirds in just six innings of work.
However, he wasn’t the only one to make history as former Renegade Jacob Voss became the first player in organization history to be drafted – going to the Los Angeles Angels in the 27th round.
Even with the fantastic start from Hensel, the Renegades red-hot bats finally cooled off with the sunset, as he left the game trailing 1-0. It wasn’t until the seventh inning that Kaelin Dowling scored the first Jefferson City run of the game – coming around the horn on a Justin McIntyre double.
The bullpen did its job as well, holding the Redbirds at bay with scoreless outings from Jacob Steffesnmeier, Tommy Wahl, and Alex Kubik - who got the win. Springfield received good pitching as well as Garrett Willins went seven innings allowing just a run on five hits, while striking out four.
As the bottom of the ninth rolled around, the Renegades were able to get a leadoff base runner in the form of newly anointed Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American - Ridge Rogers. After a double by Logan Hudson, and the winning run just ninety feet from home, Tyler Bracht delivered once again, walking it off for the Renegades for the first time in 2018 with a single to right field.
The win is the fourth in five tries for the Renegades. They’ll try to keep the good times rolling as they resume MINK League play and head to Joplin tomorrow to face the Outlaws for the first time this season.
Stream tomorrow's game by clicking below:
