Filia the Hero Again in 8-6 Win
Kenosha, Wis. – Kingfish outfielder Eric Filia always seems to have big moments follow him around, whether it is a clutch base hit or a diving catch to save a run in the outfield. Tuesday night in front of a sold out crowd at Simmons Field, Filia went the unconventional route to become the hero, being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth inning to break a tie and ultimately give Kenosha a 8-6 win, making it six straight victories for Kenosha.
Already up 1-0 in the third, the Woodchucks (22-36) grabbed a 4-0 lead after three walks and two hits in the inning, including a two RBI single from Owen Taylor. The Kingfish (42-19) got back within one in the bottom half of the third, thanks in large part to a two RBI double from Alex Borglin to knock in John Brodner and Collin Dupree. An RBI single by Filia brought home Borglin, closing the Woodchucks lead to 4-3 after three.
Tied 5-5 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Filia’s magic moment came with two outs and facing a 1-2 count. The 2015 Northwoods League All-Star took a curveball to the arm and Brodner trotted home to give Kenosha a 6-5 lead. On the very next pitch, Jeremy Vasquez delivered a single to centerfield for two more Kingfish runs and made it 8-5 Kingfish heading into the eighth inning.
J.D. Nielsen preserved the lead for the Kingfish by closing out the Woodchucks and earning the save in the ninth inning. Ryan Orr registered three punch-outs and worked two and one third innings to pick up the win. Trevor Haas started the game and lasted just over two innings, giving up four runs, one earned, on three hits along with two strikeouts.
The heart of the Kingfish lineup, Borglin, Filia, and Vasquez, had all seven RBIs for the Kingfish. Borglin and Filia both had one hit and two RBIs. Vasquez led all Kingfish players with two hits and three RBIs. Kenosha now owns a four game lead over Madison in the second half South Division standings.
Taylor was a hitting machine on the night for Wisconsin, connecting for three hits and a game high four RBIs. Yusuke Akitoshi had two RBIs, including a solo home run in the eighth inning. Dylan Dwyer started on the mound and went five innings, giving up five runs, four earned, with four walks and two strikeouts. Kevin Bolder took the loss for the Woodchucks.
The Kingfish hit the road for five straight games away from home starting Wednesday night at Lakeshore. The Kingfish return home Monday, August 3rd against Green Bay at 7:05 p.m. Monday night is Carthage College Back to School Night and Drawstring Bag Giveaway. Tenuta’s Deli Italian Heritage Night is also at Simmons Field. Seats are still available.
The Kingfish ticket office powered by Platinum Systems is located at 7817 Sheridan Road and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Kingfish ticket office Powered by Platinum systems is open from 8:30am until the end of the game on home game dates. For more information on 7-game packs, season or group tickets, please log on to kingfishbaseball.com or call 262.653.0900.
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The Kenosha Kingfish are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit kingfishbaseball.com.
