GLENCOE -- Graham Laubscher struck out 19 batters to lead Air Freight Unlimited to a 4-2 victory over the Rochester Royals in a Class A first-round game that was a resumption of two postponements last weekend.
The game was first suspended Saturday, Aug. 16 when Air Freight assistant coach Jake Hardy suffered a medical emergency shortly before the scheduled start time in Brownton. It was rescheduled for the next evening Aug. 17, and the teams made it through 2 1/2 innings before it was suspended again, this time due to rain. The game picked up where it left off Friday night in Glencoe, with Air Freight leading 1-0 in the bottom of the third.
Laubscher, who was perfect through the first three innings last Sunday with seven strikeouts, was greeted by a Thane Meiners double to left to open the fourth. Two batters later, Mike Michalak singled in Meiners to tie the game 1-1. Aiden Yochim walked to put runners on first and third, and an errant throw on a tough play by AFU shortstop Matthew Enck off the bat of Neal Pearson scored Michalak to put Rochester up 2-1.
AFU responded immediately with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Garrett Spikes led off with a double, and scored on a single by Edwin Gray to tie the score. They added two more unearned runs in the sixth. Charlie Bartholomew led off with a double, and moved to third on an error off the bat of Joe Fenlon. After Fenlon took second on a wild pitch, both runners scored when Rochester first baseman Michilak's throw home sailed wide.
That would be more than enough for Laubscher, who was predictably named "Player of the Game." He went a full nine innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks, and -- again -- 19 strikeouts.
Brevin Goetz took the loss for Rochester, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks through six innings. He struck out three. Kasey Carlson and Easton Fritcher both pitched scoreless innings in relief.
Edwin Gray led Air Freight with two hits, including a double. Logan Milene had two of Rochester's five hits.
Air Freight will turn around and play the Moorhead Mudcats tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 23) at Gaylord at 4 p.m.
