The Owensboro RiverDawgs suffered a heartbreaking comeback loss to the Dubois County Bombers thanks to a walk-off base knock from Tucker Schank.
Owensboro got on the board first, opening the first inning with a two-run spot thanks to an RBI triple from Paul Coumoulos and an RBI double from Bailey Falkenstein.
Dubois County responded with a run in the bottom of the first, but they took command of the game in the bottom of the second.
Trent Hlafka walked the bases loaded to start the inning before being pulled, but that didn’t stop the Bombers already growing momentum.
Simon Scherry followed that up with an RBI single and Schank was walked during the next at-bat. Dubois County tagged on one more run courtesy of a fielder’s choice to take a 5-2 lead, but the next two batters struck out going into the third.
The RiverDawgs responded with a run in the third and the fourth inning to cut their deficit to 5-4.
In the top of fifth they struck again, getting multiple runners on base via a walk or hit by pitch. This led to two runs before a double play ultimately ended the inning, but Owensboro headed into the bottom of the fifth holding a 6-5 lead.
The RiverDawgs seemed to be cruising to a season-opening victory on the road after three straight scoreless innings for the Bombers, but Dubois County had other thoughts in the bottom of the ninth.
Back-to-back hitters reached base via hit by pitch, with the next batter being walked to load the bases.
An error by Owensboro proved costly, allowing one to cross the plate to knot things up at 6-6 and leaving the bases loaded with no outs.
With the count at 1-1, Schank sent a walk-off single up the middle to end the game with the Dubois County Bombers out in front 7-6.
Now starting out the season with an 0-1 record, the RiverDawgs will return to action in less than 24 hours against the Henderson Flash for their home opener at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
