CLEBURNE, Texas – Curt Smith had two hits in his return from Olympic qualifying, but Lincoln fell 10-5 in the series opener against Cleburne at The Depot on Tuesday night.
Smith missed a week playing for Team Netherlands in a qualifier down in Puebla, Mexico, and doubled in his first plate appearance back. He had two of Lincoln’s nine hits and also scored a run.
Lincoln (17-18) fell behind on Ramon Hernandez’s two-run homer in the 1st, but Josh Altmann tied the game with a two-out, two-run double in the 3rd.
Cleburne (19-18) added four runs on three hits, two walks, a hit batter and two sacrifice flies in the bottom of the 3rd, and the Saltdogs dropped a third game in four tries at The Depot this year.
David Vidal cut the deficit with an RBI single in the 6th, but Ozzy Martinez answered with a run-scoring triple before Hernandez drove in another with another sac fly.
Cleburne scored twice more in the 8th before Justin Byrd drove in his 13th run with a single in the 9th and Forrestt Allday added one more on a bases-loaded walk.
Walter Borkovich allowed six runs over five innings, while Josh Norwood allowed two runs in one inning and Jason Seever allowed a pair over two innings.
David Vidal went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Patrick Adams went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Ryan Long walked twice, and Edgar Corcino singled and scored.
Game two of a pivotal series is scheduled for 7:06 p.m. on Wednesday night. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs are celebrating their 20th season at Haymarket Park this season! All ticket and promotional information can be viewed at saltdogs.com.