Ramblers split EIHL doubleheader at Cascade

In a pair of make-up games at Cascade, Key West split a doubleheader on Thursday night. The Ramblers took game 1, 10-1, before a rash of errors cost them in an 8-6 loss in the night cap. Key West moved to 29-10 overall and 11-3 in EIHL play.

First baseman Chris Briggs stayed red hot, reaching base in seven of eight plate appearances as part of a 5-for-6 night that included three more RBIs to push his team high total to 35. Briggs singled and scored on Brett LaMere's two-run base hit that got Key West on top immediately in the first inning of game 1. Briggs added a single and a run in the third and then a run-scoring knock in the sixth.

Anthony Ruden, who fired a complete game to earn the game 1 victory, also had a big day with two hits in both games. He drilled a two-run double to highlight a six-run fifth inning that put the first contest out of reach. On the mound, Ruden scattered five hits and seven walks and held Cascade to a single earned run.

Catcher Chad Crabill went 2-for-2 with a run and RBI in game 1 and then 2-for-3 with another run and RBI in game 2. Star second baseman Andrew Redman keyed the game 2 attack with a pair of doubles, including one for an RBI in the top of the sixth. LaMere (2-for-4) and Reyes (2-for-4) added two hits apiece in the second contest while Ben Oglesby went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI in the victory.

Game 2 was marred by Key West's defensive miscues that allowed Cascade to tally six unearned runs - five off of Rambler starter Sam Noel, who went 4.2 innings. Cascade piled up four unearned runs in the fifth to take a 6-4 advantage. After Key West tacked on a run in the top of the sixth, Cascade put up two runs in the bottom half off of Austin Bradley to gain control.

Records broken: Two single-season records have been broken by Rambler individuals in 2014. Andrew Redman's 42 runs scored topped the previous top mark of 39 by Dan Spain in 2011. Jordan Hohensee also set a new record with 10 complete games. The previous record was eight by Sean O'Connor in 2011.

Up next: The Ramblers will go up against Farley in the first round of the Dyersville Tournament at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.