Aurora Christian Rallies Late, Walks Off On Lake Park In Eight Innings

MONTGOMERY, IL -The Lake Park Lancers traveled to a neutral site to play Aurora Christian at Stuart Sports Complex Tuesday afternoon. The Lancers held the lead late in the game, but the Eagles of Aurora Christian tied it up in the 7th and walked off in the 8th on an RBI single by Hunter Thompson. Final tally 6-5.  

Aurora Christian starting pitcher M.J. Stavola scored first in the game by walking and coming around to touch home on an RBI single by Jake Kuntzendorf. The lefty starter tossed three innings of scoreless ball until the the Lancers put up five runs in the fourth frame. Lake Park outfielder Zach Aehlert (Belmont Abbey College commit) led the inning off by driving an inside fastball deep over the centerfield wall. Two walks, a hit batter and a double by Rory Marino (Carthage College commit) later, the plate was set for a two-out, two-run single off the bat of Mike Kukula making the score 5-1. 

Aurora Christian manufactured one back the fifth when Stavola was hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a pass ball. Teammate Eric Hernandez scored another in the sixth bunting himself on and coming in to score on a RBI single by Sam Tickel. Hernandez finished 3-for-5 with a run scored while Tickel went 3-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and one stolen base. 

Needing two to tie in the bottom of the seventh, Stavola came through again driving in a run on a fielder’s choice. Heads up baserunning by trail runner Hunter Thompson allowed him to come into score on a throwing error by the Lancers attempting to turn two on Stavola. With the score notched 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth, Thompson seized his opportunity by delivering a walk-off single deep to center scoring Zach Zavasnik. Thompson finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.  

Stavola went 3 ⅔ innings for the Eagles allowing four earned on three hits, four Ks, walking four. At the plate, he finished with a line: 0-for-2, 2R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1SB. Kuntzendorf worked 4 ⅓ in relief of Stavola earning the victory allowing one earned on three hits, one walk and fanning six. 

Aurora Christians’ Trey Madsen went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a timely sac bunt in the eighth inning.

Lake Park starter Masen Riser finished with a line: 4IP, 7H, 1R, 1ER, 2Ks, 1BB. 

For more in-depth notes from the game - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog later.

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