Jordan Cooper returned home on Sunday, making his 2017 debut for the Wichita Wingnuts after starring at nearly Wichita State University. Clearly, it was good to be home for the big right-hander as he blanked the Salina Stockade for 7-innings and Zac Fisher drove in two as the Wingnuts downed the Stockade 6-1.

For three innings, neither team’s offense had an answer for the two starting pitchers. Joe Robinson allowed a walk and a double through the first three frames, and Cooper was equally as good, allowing a single and a walk.

In the fourth, the Wichita Wingnuts would grab the lead. With one down, T.J. Mittelstaedt lined a double into right field and moved to third on a wild pitch. Matt Chavez walked to put runners at the corners with one out, and Brennen Salgado drew the walk to load the bases. Robinson got a big out, when he fanned Richard Prigatano, but Fisher delivered a clutch two-out hit up the middle that scored both Mittelstaedt and Fisher and it was 2-0.

In the sixth, the Wingnuts extended their lead to three. Mittelstaedt reached on an error to start the inning and moved to second when Salgado walked two batters later. Joe Lewis came on in relief and was greeted by a base hit by Prigatano that scored Mittelstaedt.

In the seventh, Leo Vargas got the inning going by reaching on an error to start the frame and he moved to second when Christian Stringer walked. Brent Clevlen walked to load the bases and Mittelstaedt hit a sacrifice fly that scored Vargas and it was 4-0.

That was way more than enough support for Jordan Cooper (1-0), who was absolutely brilliant on this day. The right-hander allowed just 2-hits and a walk, while striking out 5 in his 7-innings of work. His outing included a run where he retired 13-straight batters, finally seeing it come to an end in the seventh when he allowed his second double of the game with one out in the inning.

Eddie Medina relieved in the eighth, and the Stockade would finally get on the board.  With one out, Aaron Olivas beat out a ground ball for a single. CJ Epperson replaced him on the base paths on a fielder’s choice, and he scored when Roche Woodard doubled into left field to make it 4-1.

In typical Wingnuts fashion, they responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Prigatano doubled with one out, stole third, and came in on a wild pitch. Fisher singled before Leo Vargas grounded to third. Fisher was cut down on the fielder’s choice, but the throw to first was wild, allowing Vargas to reach second. Harrison Kain delivered a single to center that scored Vargas and it was 6-1. That would be the final.

Zac Fisher finished 3-4 with 2-RBI. T.J. Mittelstaedt was 1-3 with 2-runs and an RBI. Aaron Olivas was 2-3 to lead the Stockade offense.

The Wingnuts head to Texas tomorrow to take on the Air Hogs. Tyler Kane will take to the hill for the first time this season. Game time is 7:05. The Stockade will remain in Wichita to take on the Winnipeg Goldeyes starting Monday afternoon. Game time is 12:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier