Alex Boshers absolutely dominated the Lincoln Saltdogs for seven innings Friday night, keeping the home team from mounting any kind of rally, as the Wichita Wingnuts entered the ninth-inning feeling pretty confident that their four game losing streak was about to come to an end. However, Lincoln mounted an impressive comeback against closer Seth Harvey, scoring four runs and earning the walk-off victory on a base hit by Dashenko Ricardo to give the Saltdogs the 4-3 win.

Wichita took the early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first-inning. Christian Stringer singled with one out and moved to third on a base hit by Brent Clevlen. A sacrifice fly by T.J. Mittelstaedt brought home Stringer, and Zac Fisher plated Clevlen with a two-out single to put the Wingnuts ahead 2-0.

In the fourth, Wichita extended their lead to three. Dimitri Kourtis retired the first two batters of the inning, but Richard Prigatano and Brennen Salgado delivered back-to-back singles to keep the inning alive. Leo Vargas then singled into left, bringing home Prigatano to make it 3-0.

That seemed like plenty enough support for Alex Boshers on this evening. The Wichita starter found himself in trouble in only one inning, the second, when he gave up three straight singles with two outs to load the bases. However, he induced a groundout to end the threat, and the Saltdogs would never really threatened against him again. Boshers left after 7, allowing 5-hits while striking out 4.

In the eighth, James Campbell came on and tossed a scoreless frame, setting up the dramatic ninth-inning.

Seth Harvey came on looking for his 12th save of the season, but he found himself in trouble right off the bat. Cesar Valera greeted Harvey with a base hit and he moved to second on a wild pitch. After Curt Smith walked, Harvey was able to retire Brandon Jacobs. Next up was Nathaniel Maggio,  who drilled the first pitch he saw from the Wingnuts reliever for a double that brought both runners home to make this a one run ballgame. After Ivan Marin came into run for Maggio, Harvey struck out Randolph Oduber, and it looked like he may get out of the trouble. However, a base hit by Joe Robbins brought home Marin to tie the game. Robbins then stole second, bringing Dashenko Ricardo to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch, he singled into center field. The throw home was late, allowing Robbins to score and the Lincoln Saltdogs earned the dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory.

Nathaniel Maggio led the Lincoln offense, going 2-4 with 2-RBI. Joe Robbins was 3-4 with a run and an RBI. Wichita was led by Christian Stringer, who was 3-5 with a run-scored.

The Wichita Wingnuts look to try to end their five-game losing streak tomorrow night. Ryan Kussmaul (5-2, 2.88) goes for Wichita. He will be opposed by Brian McAfee (3-1, 1.66). First pitch is scheduled for 6:45.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier