Catcher Mickey Gardner blasted a pair of two-run home runs over the left field fence to twice bring Kendall back from deficits in a 7-7 tie with Attica in a baseball game suspended after five innings due to darkness.
Gardner’s first round-tripper of the season came with two-outs and starting pitcher John Rath on base after being hit by a pitch to overcome Attica’s first inning run and give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
They extended it to 4-1 in the second inning as center fielder Alex Reed, designated hitter Emmett Blascahauer and Rath all walked to load the bases before left fielder Brian Shaw drove in a pair with a single to center field.
Attica scored six runs in their half of the third inning to take a 7-4 lead on only three hits as the Eagles defense – changed due to an injury – imploded with two errors and fielders throwing to the wrong base, two wild pitches, a hit batter and a balk.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Rath began the Kendall rally by drawing another walk and stole second. He came across the plate on an RBI single to right by Shaw. One out later, Gardner tied the game 7-7 with his second two-run home run of the game.
“The first one (home run) was on a curve ball and the second one was a fastball,” Gardner said. “I knew it was going to be a curve because he had it on his hip. The second one I didn’t think was out until I rounded first and saw the umpire.”
Rath allowed seven hits and struck out seven batters while walking only one.
The two teams will resume the suspended game at a future date.
