Zap Spoil Moo Home Opener

Fremont, Nebraska - The Fremont Moo opened up the 2024 home schedule versus the Oahe Zap, Saturday night at Historic Moller Field. Fremont came into the contest 5-0 in home openers, however, Oahe dampened the Moo's hopes for a sixth straight win on opening night by defeating Fremont, 6-2.
Oahe started the scoring early by plating three runs in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Noah Wiggins began the game with a walk, off Fremont starter Luke Hamzeh. The Zap's Jackson Mix followed up with a single to put runners at first and second. Two batters later, Vince Polizzi hit a 1-2 pitch from Hamzeh over the left field fence for a three-run home run, to put the Zap ahead 3-0.
The Zap extended the lead in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Buck Snabes drew a walk before Brandon Weigel hit an rbi double, scoring Snabes, to make it a 4-0 Zap advantage.
Fremont jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Grant Nottleman led off the inning with a double against Oahe starter Nathan Palacioz. The next batter, Carson Burnett, hit a smash off Zap third baseman Jackson Mix's backhanded attempt which went down the left field line, scoring Nottleman to make it a 4-1 ballgame.
Oahe put together a two-run inning in the top of the sixth. Andrew Phillips led off the inning with a walk against Fremont reliever Brandt Phillips. After a stolen base, Emiliano Curiel followed with an rbi single, plating Andrew Phillips, to make it a 5-1 score. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Noah Wiggins hit a smash off Brandt Phillips' wrist, allowing Curiel to score, making it 6-1, Oahe, midway through the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth, Fremont's Dean Reynolds led off with a walk versus Oahe reliever Lucas Crichton. Two batters later, Trey Brooks singled. After a wild pitch advanced runners to second and third, another wild pitch scored Reynolds to make it 6-2.
The score remained the same going into the bottom of the ninth inning. However, Oahe reliever Jacob Skinner retired Fremont in order to secure the Zap victory.
Oahe (2-6) scored six runs off seven hits and committed one error. Fremont (4-2) had two runs off seven hits with no errors.
Zap starting pitcher Nathan Palacioz (1-0) picked up the victory. He pitched 5.0 innings, giving up six hits, struck out five, walked four and yielded one run. Lucas Crichton pitched 2.0 innings, giving up one hit, struck out three, walked two and had two wild pitches. Jacob Skinner pitched the final 2.0 innings and retired all six batters he faced.
Fremont starter Luke Hamzeh (0-1) suffered the loss. He pitched 4.0 innings, giving up four hits, four runs, struck out three and walked four. Hamzeh also yielded the three-run home run in the first inning. Brandt Phillips pitched 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, two runs, struck out one and walked two and hit one batter. Alex Oliver worked 2.2 innings, struck out six and walked one. Justin Bowman pitched 1.0 inning, giving up one hit, struck out three and walked one.
Offensively, Oahe leadoff batter Noah Wiggins was 0-for-3 and had an rbi. Vince Polizzi was 1-for-5 with a three-run homerun. Emiliano Curiel went 2-for-5 with an rbi. Brandon Weigel was 1-for-3 with an rbi.
For Fremont, Cooper Fuchino went 2-for-4. Carson Burnett was 1-for-3 with an rbi.
More Information: Fremont and Oahe will play game two of the three game series, Sunday afternoon. Sunday continues the Fremont Moo's "Schools Out for Summer Weekend." All students, including college students, receive a free General Admission ticket. College students must show their college ID. First pitch is 5:05pm. Gates open at 4 p.m. For tickets, go to www:fremontmoo.com. The game will be broadcast on Big Dog Country, 98.9 FM and 1340 AM. Plus audio will stream on www.fremontmoo.com. Video of the game will stream live on www.fremontmoo.com and on YouTube at: BSDN Live. Rich Ray and Alex Burstein will have the call, with coverage beginning at 4:45 p.m.





