Generals Fall Short in Thrilling Championship Game
August 6, 2022- The Generals faced off against the Acadiana Cane Cutters at home in a winner-take-all championship game. The Generals looked to end their fantastic season atop of the TCL as champions. The stands at Riverside Stadium were packed with fans as tonight was a free ticket night presented by Interstate Battery.
The Cane Cutters struck first in this ball game, taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. However, the Generals responded with some offense of their own in the bottom of the inning. After back-to-back singles from Jackson Hardy and Isiah Walker, Adam Becker drove in the Generals first run with an RBI double. Reed Spenrath kept the rally going with an RBI single, giving the Generals an early lead. The big first inning was capped off with a Brandon Galindo sacrifice fly, giving the Generals a 3-1 lead heading into the second.
Hunter Kloesel bounced back in the top of the second, striking out two batters and only allowing one baserunner. The Generals offense cooled off in the bottom of the second as they were retired in order. The Cane Cutters rallied in the top of the third, scoring three runs which gave them the lead once again. The Generals went down in order once again, putting the score at 4-3 heading into the fourth
Hunter Murray entered the game for the Generals in relief and did well, as he kept the Cane Cutters off the board in the top of the fourth. Blake Bean led off the bottom of the fourth for the Generals with a base hit. Angel Mendoza followed this up with a two-run blast over the right field wall, giving the Generals a 5-4 lead at the conclusion of the fourth inning.
Both offenses were quiet in the fifth, as Murray continued to perform well out of the bullpen. He did the same in the sixth inning, as he retired the Cane Cutters in order for the first time in this championship game. The Generals were able to get a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, however they could not capitalize on this opportunity and the score remained put at 5-4.
The Cane Cutters shifted the momentum of the game in the top of the seventh, as they hit a solo homerun to tie the game. The Generals could not get any base runners on in the bottom of the seventh, so the game remained tied heading into the eighth.
The Cane Cutters caught a break as an error allowed the leadoff man to reach first safely. This proved to be fatal for the Generals, as the Cane Cutters were able to bat that base runner in for the go-ahead score. With their backs against the wall, the Generals looked to get some offense going in the bottom of the eighth. However, they were retired in order once again and found themselves down a run heading into the final inning of play.
Austin Dean was called upon to close out the game for the Generals and keep their deficit at just one. He did just that, as a huge double play ended the inning and got the crowd on their feet heading into the bottom of the ninth. Bean started the inning with a walk and advanced into scoring position thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Galindo. Sadly, the Generals stranded Bean in scoring position, ending the game in a 6-5 defeat at the hands of the Cane Cutters.
This game concluded the Generals 2022 TCL season. We would like to thank all the sponsors, employees, host families, players, and fans who have made this season so special. The Generals will be back next summer and looking to finish as champs!
