Firebirds snap long losing skid in Marion

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

MARION, Ky. — The Farmington Firebirds arrived 30 minutes before the first pitch at Guess Field on Thursday evening with an extremely relaxed approach, even electing to skip batting practice and the customary infield warm-up.

Farmington then proceeded to deliver a complete team effort that showed no resemblance to a record 16-game losing streak, and seized command of its season series against the expansion Marion Bobcats with a 5-2 victory.

Dallas Williams finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, including a decisive two-run double in the seventh inning. Kurt Driemeyer was also 2-for-4 for the Firebirds, and Nick Johnson added a double with two runs scored during a rare start in left field.

Farmington (6-34) utilized a committee of four hurlers, who combined for seven strikeouts and no walks. Dan Kuntz (1-0) allowed one run over three innings for the win after starter Driemeyer pitched the first three frames.

The Firebirds had endured 23 straight disappointing days of winless baseball, dating back to a 1-0 triumph over Union City on June 24. Five different starters from that contest are no longer with the squad.

Mitch Guemmer coaxed a nine-pitch walk to begin the seventh, and moved into scoring position along with Johnson on a sacrifice bunt by Zane Walker. Williams then ripped a delivery from Kevin Stauffer past third base and into the left-field corner, bringing in both runners.

KIT League All-Star Matt Little capped a 4-for-5 night with a single that sent Troy Ellis to third with one out during the home half of the seventh, but Guemmer escaped the jam in relief by inducing two flyouts.

Marion (15-26) threatened to rally again in the eighth, but Driemeyer perfectly played a wild throw that caromed off the Bobcats dugout, and retired an advancing Dustin Kennon at third with an accurate throw.

Pinch-hitter Casey Jones hammered his fourth home run to the opposite field for an insurance tally in the Farmington ninth, and Grant Miller worked a perfect frame with two strikeouts to notch his first save.

Stauffer recorded three strikeouts and allowed eight hits over eight innings in defeat for the Bobcats. Kennon helped the offense with a pair of singles.

Adam Enloe singled home Little to make it 1-1 in the third after Walker scored on a mishandled pick-off throw for Farmington in the first. Williams regained the lead for the Firebirds with a RBI infield single in the fifth.

Bobcats infielder Lucas Cramsey reached base for the 18th consecutive game with a single in the sixth. Mitch McClay followed with a RBI double to right-center that drew Marion even for a second time.

Guemmer saved two potential runs with key defensive plays from his shortstop position, initially snaring an inning-ending line drive with a dive to his left in the first inning. Guemmer retired another man at home in the second during a delayed attempt to score on wild pitch.

Third baseman Kyle Wampler turned in another gem with a charging play that prevented a bunt single, and added a double at the plate for the Firebirds. The three-game weekend set continues tonight at 7 p.m.

Farmington 100 010 201 - 5  9  3

Marion  001 001 000 - 2  10  1  

WP - Kuntz 3i 1r 3h 2k 0bb.

LP - Stauffer 8i 4r 3er 8h 3k 1bb 1hb.

SV - Miller 1i 0r 0h 2k 0bb.

Hitting:

Farmington - Williams 2-4, Driemeyer 2-4, Jones 1-1, Johnson 1-2, Wampler 1-4, Kuntz 1-4, Reed 1-5. 2b - Williams, Johnson, Wampler. HR - Jones (4).

Marion - Little 4-5, Kennon 2-4, Enloe 1-4, Cramsey 1-4, McClay 1-4, Ellis 1-4. 2b - Little 2, McClay.