Lafayette Aviators start 2022 season with walk-off victory over Terre Haute
LAFAYETTE – Two familiar faces played a key role in the Aviators beginning the 2022 season in dramatic fashion.
The Aviators opened another Prospect League campaign with a walk-off 4-3 victory over Terre Haute before a crowd of 1,368 at Loeb Stadium.
“That was unbelievable,” first-year coach Chris Willsey said. “This venue is one of the best venues in the country. We told the guys to come out and enjoy the experience. A lot of the guys that played tonight haven’t been in this environment. I’m happy for them.”
The 1-0 start makes everyone happy.
Welcome back
Mike Snyder. Jack Lang. Two significant players on last year’s division title and conference championship squads, which lost to Cape Girardeau in the final series, delivered late.
Snyder started the ninth-inning rally with a single and Lang drew a bases-loaded walk, allowing Snyder to score the winning run.
“It’s always nice to please the crowd and come back on a good note,” said Lang, who finished his career at Purdue Fort Wayne playing for former Boilermaker coach Doug Schreiber. “A little mad it wasn’t a hit, but I’ll take the walk.”
Snyder and Lang are two of five players who returned from last year’s team. Pitcher Jackson Dannelley, outfielder Drew Behling and catcher Trevor Johnson also return. That group will continue to play important roles on this year’s team.
“When they’re here, we need their production, we need their experience and we need their leadership,” Willsey said. “Five of them were big factors in last year’s team. They showed what they can do for us.”
Asked why he came back to the Aviators, Lang said it was simple.
“The fans and the opportunity,” he said. “We had a good bond last year. I know a lot of the returners came back and that was a big reason to come back and play with them for the last ride.”
Strong pitching
Gyeongiu Kim earned the opening day start and was impressive.
The senior at Dordt University tossed five strong innings and struck out seven while allowing five hits and three walks. The score was tied at 3 when Kim exited.
One of Kim’s goals is to increase his velocity, which has dipped in recent seasons. He regained some of that firepower during his college season, striking out 21 in one game and finishing with 109 in 68 2/3 innings at Dordt.
“He’s hit some big numbers and the first day we asked for their strength and weaknesses,” Willsey said. “One of his weaknesses was to get his velo back up. We’re working on that.
“He has 200 strikeouts in 100-plus innings. I don’t care what level you’re at, what school you’re at, you’re doing your job.”
Purdue’s Logan Danzeisen is scheduled to start Thursday against Danville, Ill., followed by 6-foot-7 lefty Tyler Norris (McPherson College) on Friday against Illinois Valley. Tyler Yotkewich (IU Southeast) is the scheduled starter Saturday at Illinois Valley and Brayden Childress (Olney Central College) is expected to go Sunday at Danville, Ill.
“Logan isn’t going to throw a lot this summer because he threw plenty in the spring,” Willsey said.
The bullpen tossed four scoreless innings Wednesday after Terre Haute tied the game at 3.
“Bullpen came in and slammed the door,” Willsey said.
Slow-starting offense
Don’t judge the offense after just one game.
The Aviators totaled just four hits, including an RBI triple by Brandon Daniels during a three-run first inning.
“I know a lot of guys took up to two weeks off from live pitching after their seasons ended,” Lang said. “We just have to get back in the rhythm of seeing live pitching. I know the strikeouts are going to go down and the hits are going to go up. It’s very similar to how we were last year.”
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Thursday vs. Danville, 7 p.m.
Friday vs. Illinois Valley, 7 p.m.
Saturday at Illinois Valley, 8:05 p.m.
Sunday at Danville, 5:30 p.m.
Monday at Illinois Valley, 8:05 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Aviators baseball: Walk-off win over Terre Haute starts 2022 season
