photo: Matt Koperniak (Memphis Redbirds)
The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-1 on Friday as Springfield’s season ended with a thud. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, RF Matt Koperniak, was 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored in Memphis’ win. Other standouts include Nick Raposo, César Prieto, and Mike Antico.
Results for games played on Friday, September 22.
The Memphis Redbirds defeated the Charlotte Knights in a 9-6 contest at AutoZone Park on Friday. Starter Connor Thomas pitched six innings, gave up four runs on eight hits, struck out two and walked two to earn his fifth win.
Gordon Graceffo relieved Thomas and surrendered two runs in 1 2/3 innings. Dalton Roach tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Charlotte took the initial lead with one run in the top of the first. Memphis quickly tied it in the home half on a solo home run by Matt Koperniak.
Koperniak Attack! pic.twitter.com/ShCfcoe17f
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 23, 2023
The Redbirds took the lead in the second on a two-run home run by Nick Raposo. Charlotte came back with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth to retake the lead 4-3.
RAPOSO OH BABY pic.twitter.com/YRX3yjBoVm
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 23, 2023
Memphis pulled ahead for good with four runs in the sixth to lead 7-4. Chase Pinder was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Kramer Robertson was hit by a pitch. Koperniak singled to bring in Pinder. Thomas Saggese walked. Robertson scored on a single by César Prieto. Moises Gomez plated Koperniak and Saggese on a single.
The Redbirds made it 9-4 in the seventh. Robertson singled, stole second base, and was driven in by a single from Koperniak. Koperniak came home on a single by Prieto.
The Knights added two runs in the eighth to shrink the lead to 9-6 but could get no closer.
Koperniak was 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Raposo was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Prieto was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Saggese was 2-for-4. Tres Barrera was 2-for-5. Gomez had two RBI.
On the base paths, Pinder, Robertson, and Koperniak each stole a base. In the field, Gomez and Saggese made fielding errors.
Memphis Redbirds (31-41) are 16.5 games out of first place in the International League West. They have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Saturday’s game: vs. Charlotte, RHP Michael McGreevy (10-6, 4.59) vs. Brent Honeywell RHP (0-0, 5.23) 6:05 CT.
Springfield 1 at Arkansas 14 (Division Series Game 3)
The Springfield Cardinals ended their 2023 on a down note, thrashed by the Travelers, 14-1, in Friday’s deciding Game 3 of the Texas League North Division Series.
Starter Tink Hence pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on five hits, including a double and home run, struck out two and walked four. Hence took the loss.
Nick Trogrlic-Iverson relieved Hence and surrendered three runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Ryan Shreve collected two outs with no runs scored. Wilfredo Pereira relinquished four runs while securing just one out. Matt Svanson yielded three runs including a long ball in 1 1/3 innings. Jack Ralston got one out with no scoring. Edwin Nunez allowed one run in the eighth. All of the Travelers’ 14 runs were earned.
Arkansas took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning and added three runs in the fifth. The Cardinals averted the shutout on solo home run by Mike Antico in the top of the sixth.
Arkansas continued to tee off on Springfield pitching with four runs in the home half of the sixth, three in the seventh and one in the eighth to win 14-1.
The Cardinals offense scored one run on no walks taken and seven hits, six singles plus Antico’s long ball. Antico was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Noah Mendlinger was 2-for-4 but was caught stealing.
Springfield went 1-2 in the Division Series and their season has concluded.
Saturday’s game: None. Springfield’s season is over.
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