Drillers Come From Behind To Drop Frisco

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Ben Paulsen homered to tie the game not once, but twice Saturday, as Tulsa managed to top Frisco 4-3 in come-from-behind fashion to open up series and notch its fourth consecutive win.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, Paulsen blasted a two-out dinger over the center field wall to tie the game 1-1. However, Frisco (67-57) answered in the top of the second thanks to a Matt Leeds RBI single to bring Elio Sarmiento home.

Paulsen was next called upon to lead off the fourth inning, and he hit yet another long ball – his 17th of the season – to tie the game 2-2.

The game stayed tied through the top of the sixth, but Tulsa's (58-66) night wasn't done yet. Paulsen led off with a single to right field, advanced to second thanks to a wild pitch from Rough Riders' pitcher Derek Hankins and reached third thanks to a sac fly from Thomas Field.

Bronson Sardinha joined him on base by drawing a walk, and Brian Rike drove both home via a line drive double to center field to give the Drillers a 4-2 advantage.

Frisco threatened in the bottom of the ninth, with Matt Leeds drawing a walk to bring Tommy Mendonca home, but close Dustin Molleken struck out the next two batters to close the game.

Joseph Gardner (1-2) picked up his first win for the Drillers, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out five in his seven innings of service. Derek Hankins (1-1) picked up a loss for his 5.2 innings pitched, allowing four earned runs on eight hits.

Tulsa will attempt to make it five straight at 7:05 p.m. Sunday in the second of three games against Frisco.