Hannibal Hoots Lose 3-2 Heartbreaker to Lafayette

The Hannibal Hoots and Lafayette Aviators hooked up in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel Monday night, but the home team blinked first, losing a 3-2 heartbreaker at Clemens Field.

Each team scored a run in the first. The Aviators scored on a single, a stolen base, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. The Hoots answered back in the bottom of the first. Left fielder Patrick Donohue reached on an error to lead off, went to third on a single by third baseman Joe Roscetti, and scored on would best be described as a delayed double steal.

Both starting pitchers settled in after that. Hannibal's Quinton Kujawa gave up one run and one hit, struck out three, walked one and hit two over six-and-two-thirds innings, while Lafayette's Jarrett Hammel went seven innings, allowing one run and two hits, struck out four, walked one and hit one.

The Aviators scored twice off reliever Graham Kuck, who walked two and gave up a two-out, two-run single to make it 3-1.

The Hoots got a solo pinch-homer from Zac Whalin in the ninth, making it 3-2, which is how it ended.

The loss drops the Hoots to 4-16, while the Aviators improve to 7-13.

Hannibal has a double header at Danville Tuesday night.