By Taylor Deutscher

The Garden City Wind (7-15) picked up an exciting 7-4 win against the Trinidad Triggers (15-5) Wednesday evening. The victory was the first against the Triggers this season, though Trinidad created plenty of drama with three runs in the ninth.

Exploding in the fourth, Garden City took a 7-1 lead over Trinidad. Cody Ellis blasted a three-run home run after Rodney Polonia and Tyler Lundgren reached on a bunt single and a double down the left field line, respectively.

The inning continued as Brandon Cooksey drew a walk and stole second, his thirteenth steal this season. Cooksey advanced to third on a second bunt single of the inning, this time by Ariel Adut. Pitcher Gabe Cook stepped up to bat and slapped a single to right, scoring both Cooksey and Adut.

Cook is now on a six-game hit streak. He managed to score on a single by Polonia, his second hit of the inning. Lundgren reached for a second time in the fourth on an error by right fielder Caleb Johnson. Dylin Brooks scored, though the run was unearned, for the Winds seventh run in the inning.

Proving he is not only useful at the plate, Cook (2-0) had a great performance on the mound against the tricky Triggers. He threw 8.1 innings, allowing three runs and four hits. He struck out five, three of those coming from striking out the side in the third.

Ryan Blinderman came in for Cook in the ninth with one out. He held his opponents scoreless in his last appearances, but was unable to keep the streak alive for this outing. He walked his two batters, driving in Trinidads second run.

In a save situation, Brandon Hudson took over with the bases loaded in the ninth, but gave up a two-run single to right. Garden Citys lead decreased with a 7-4 score.

The Triggers threatened to sweep Garden City, but Jacob Gonzalez picked up the save for the Wind as he came in and struck out the next two batters.

Polonia finished the night with three singles.

Christian Schneider (1-1) took the loss for Trinidad, giving up seven runs--one unearned--and 10 hits.

 

The teams will face each other for two games in Trinidad, Colo. before the Wind takes off for a four-game series against the Fuego in Santa Fe, N.M. The Wind will return to Garden City next Wednesday to face the Alpine Cowboys for the first time this season.