The Prior Lake Jays fell 5-4 to the Eagan Bandits on Saturday, despite out-hitting them 13 to 6. Jonah Hoeg led the Jays with three hits.
The Bandits took the lead in the first inning when Henry Black homered to right field, scoring two runs.
The Prior Lake Jays scored a run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run to left field by Hoeg to bring them within two runs.
In the top of the seventh, the Jays captured the lead, 4-3. Beau Rabey homered to left field, scoring two runs, and David Flasher singled, scoring another run.
However, the Bandits reclaimed the lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the eighth after Roy Larson singled and Charlie Harms hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run. Three errors would string the Jays in the final frames.
Dom Lonetti earned the win for the Eagan Bandits. The reliever gave up 10 hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out two and walking none. Joe Stelzig took the loss for the Prior Lake Jays, pitching three innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out five and walking one. Brady Baur started for the Jays, surrendering three hits and three runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out six and walking two. Jonah Smithson started for the Bandits, allowing three hits and no runs over two innings, striking out none and walking one.
The Prior Lake Jays tallied 13 hits in the game but stranded 10 runners. Rabey led the middle of the lineup with two RBIs, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run. Baur, Jackson Golberg, and Flasher each collected multiple hits for the Jays. Both Rabey and Hoeg homered in the game.
Black and Ryan Eckerle were a force in the Bandits’ lineup, each collecting two hits while hitting back-to-back. Black also led the Bandits with two RBIs, going 2-for-4. The Bandits didn’t commit a single error in the field, with Tony Johnson having the most chances with seven.
The Prior Lake Jays will play at home on Sunday, July 21, against the Shakopee Indians for Fan Appreciation Night. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.