Controversial Finish at Clemens Field [Audio]

Another long, unusual and controversial night at Clemens Field ends with a 3-2 Hannibal win over the Quincy Gems in 11 innings.

Hannibal Cavemen manager Jay Hemond was ejected in the sixth inning by plate umpire Clint Howard. A disagreement over a tag play at first base in the top of the 11th led to the ejection of assistant coach A.J. Martin by base umpire Colin Walker. That left player-coach Jake Mangler in charge. That's where things started to get complicated.

Two hitters after Martin’s ejection, questions arose with the umpires as to whether Mangler was officially listed as a player coach. Following a 16 minute delay and an apparent consultation with Prospect League officials, it was determined that Mangler was indeed listed as a coach and play continued with the bases loaded. Reliever Clinton Perez got out of the one out jam with a double play ball.

Had Mangler not been officially listed as a coach, a forfeit could have occurred.

In the bottom of the 11th, Kaleb Zimmer walked, Hayden McMillon reached on a fielder’s choice and sacrifice, Jeff Smith moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt and Jonathan Allen was walked intentionally to load the bases for Christian Cavaness..

Christian Cavaness sent everyone home..