The Bats best the Stripers in extra innings: Louisville wins 5-3 over Gwinnett in 11 innings

Preview: Louisville Bats (3-2, 0.5 GB, Tied for 3rd place in the International League West) vs Gwinnett Stripers (3-2, 0.5 GB, Tied for 3rd place in the International League West)

The April 4, 2024 game (7:05pm first pitch at CoolRay Field) between Louisville and Gwinnett features the teams tied for 3rd place in the early going. With the 6-game series tied at 1, both team look to get an edge tonight.

The Bats (the AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) are led on offense by former Striper Hernan Perez (2 HR and 4 RBI's in 5 games) and Rece Hinds (who also has 2 HR and 4 RBI's in 5 games). Carson Spiers (0-0, 11.25 ERA) looks to contain the Stripers' offense who is coming off a 7-0 win in last night's game to even the series.

Darius Vines (our pregame interview from April 2, 2024 - click HERE to watch our interview) takes the hill against the Bats (0-0, 5.40 ERA). On offense, J.P. Martinez (.421 BA with 2 HR, 3 RBI's, and 3 stolen bases in 5 games) along with Andrew Velazquez (.286 BA with 1 HR and 4 RBI's) look to build on the team's (the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves)most recent scoring output.

Game recap: The Bats take a 2-1 series lead with an extra inning (11 innings) win.

The Stripers would take an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. Luke Waddell's RBI triple scores 2 runners to give Gwinnett an early advantage.

However, Conner Capel gets the Bats back into the game.

His solo shot in the top of the 2nd (2nd of the year) gets Louisville within a run. He would add another solo homer in the top of the 7th (his 3rd of the year) ties the game at 2.

The game would go into extra innings. Louisville gets their opportunity in the top of the 10th inning (with a runner at 2nd base); Levi Jordan's RBI single gives the Bats a 3-2 lead. Gwinnett would answer in the bottom of the 10th as they have a runner at 2nd base (based on the extra inning rules). Ryan Casteel's RBI single ties the game at 3.

As extra play continues, Mike Ford's RBI single in the top of the 11th gives Louisville a 4-3 lead. P.J. Higgins would add a RBI single to add to the Bats' lead over the Stripers (5-3).

Luke Waddell's RBI double in the bottom of the 11th gets the Stripers within 1 run (5-4). The Bats would hold off their efforts and close out the game to take a 2-1 series lead over Gwinnett.

Connor Capel (2 for 5 with 2 HR and 2 RBI's) along with Mike Ford, P.J. Higgins, and Levi Jordan (contributing 1 RBI apiece) lead the Louisville offense. Alan Busenitz gets his first win of the season (1-0) as he goes 2 innings, allowing 2 runs (unearned) on 3 hits along with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Starting pitcher Carson Spiers has a solid effort in getting a no-decision (5 IP, allowing 2 runs [earned] on 2 hits; he has 7 strikeouts and 2 walks).

Jake Walsh (0-1) takes the loss for the Stripers (2 IP, allowing 3 runs [1 earned] on 3 hits; he has 2 strikeouts and a walk); Darius Vines (7 IP, allowing 2 runs [earned] on 2 hits, along with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk) provides a strong effort in a no-decision. Luke Waddell (2 for 5 with 3 RBI's) leads the Gwinnett offense.

The next game in the series is April 5, 2024 at 7:05pm (first pitch) at CoolRay Field; the series concludes on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Notes: All video and photos are recorded by CCSLLC (click HERE to visit their Instagram). You may subscribe and watch the 2024 season playlist for additional interviews and in-game snapshots by clicking HERE. For the box-score, click HERE.