HANCOCK - BlueSky Health showed how to make the most of opportunities Thursday.
It had half the hits of Twilight League opponent Pat's Foods, but twice the runs in a 10-5 road victory.
"We took advantage of some walks and got a few timely hits. We got baserunners and it helped us score some runs," BlueSky infielder/manager Jason Koski said.
Article Photos
BlueSky Health second baseman Johnny Raisanen tags out Pat’s Foods’ Luke Paul on a steal attempt during Thursday’s Twilight League game at Hancock Driving Park. BlueSky won the game, 10-5. (DMG photo by Brandon Veale)
The game turned relatively early, as BlueSky hung six runs on the board in the top of the third inning on the benefit of just two hits.
The lead grew to as much as 9-1 by the fifth inning before a trio of Pat's home runs late tightened up the box score.
Ray Wojtala pitched BlueSky to its second victory of the season. His complete game featured seven strikeouts, as he scattered 12 hits and five walks.
Fact Box
BlueSky 0062110 10 6 1
Pat's 0100202 5 12 6
WP - Ray Wojtala, CG, 5 ER, 12 H, 7 K, 5 BB
LP - Andrew Ewer, CG, 10 R, 6 H, 6 K, 6 BB
Offensive leaders:
BSH - Keith Halonen, 2-for-2, 3 R
Pat's - Luke Paul, 2-for-2, HR
Pat's took the early lead in the second inning, making Wojtala pay a painful price in more than just the scorebook. Carl Roscoe lined a pitch off Wojtala's leg into right field as Tyler Ebben scored from second.
The lead was shortlived, wiped out before Pat's got an out in the third. Johnny Raisanen reached base after the throw from short pulled the first baseman off the bag. Keith Halonen doubled both into scoring position and Koski walked to load the bases. Brian Juopperi's hot shot went off the second baseman's glove for an error, and after a strikeout and a walk, designated hitter Greg Seppanen singled in a pair of BlueSky runs. Two more runs came in on a throwing error and an RBI groundout.
BlueSky expanded the lead in the fourth, as both Halonen and Koski singled and came around to score.
Seppanen doubled and scored in the fifth to make it 9-1 but instead of tipping over the edge toward the mercy rule, Pat's started hitting back.
With two out in the fifth, Luke Paul and Lee Naugle hit back-to-back shots to left. Cleve Heikkila tacked on a two-run homer with two down in the ninth.
Halonen and Seppanen led BlueSky with two hits apiece. Halonen, who walked in his other two plate appearances, scored three times.
"Keith Halonen has been hitting the ball well for us as of late," Koski said. "He seems like he's on base all the time and he's getting a lot of runs."
BlueSky is back in action tonight in a make-up game at Stanton.
Andrew Ewer took the loss for Pat's (2-3). He struck out six, but walked six and hit two batters.
Pat's was led offensively by Ebben, Paul and Chris Nielsen, who had two hits apiece. Their next scheduled contest is against BlueSky Tuesday in Dollar Bay.