Hannibal Hoots Rally Falls Short, Lose 11-7 Sunday

It's become a familiar scenario for the Hannibal Hoots - get behind early, battle back late and fall just short. That was again the case Sunday, as they lost to the Springfield Sliders 11-7 at Clemens Field.

The Sliders jumped on starter Victor Gotay early, scoring twice in the first, once in the third and batting around to score four in the fourth.

The Hoots' offense stirred in the sixth, when center fielder Patrick Donohue led off with a single. Catcher Sam Nozicka was hit by a pitch. Both were driven home with two outs as first baseman Jordan Humphries hit his second home run of the season, making the score 7-3.

But, Springfield batted around again in the seventh, scoring four more runs.

Hannibal wasn't done. With two outs in the eighth, pinch hitter Jose Mercado singled and scored on a double by Humphries, who was driven in on a base hit by right fielder Wyatt Whitman.

Then, in the ninth, shortstop Josh Lane singles, center fielder Tommy Kraus walked, Lane scored on a single by Nozicka and Kraus scored on a sacrifice fly by DH Aaron Goecks. But Mercado hit into a double play, ending the game.

The Hoots fall to 4-15, while the Sliders improve to 14-10.

The Lafayette Aviators visit Clemens Field for the final time this season at 6:35 p.m. Monday.