Explorers advance at ISC; Sean Hoffman hits two homers in one game

MOLINE, Ill. — Andrew Phibbs and Andrew Putnam combined on a four-hit shutout as the Midland Explorers beat Pete’s Blues (Ill.) 7-0 in six innings Tuesday night at the International Softball Congress World Tournament in the championship bracket.

Phibbs allowed three hits over five innings, and Putnam gave up one hit in pitching the final inning.

Kyle Beane had two hits and two runs batted in and Eddy Ketelhut had two hits including a solo home run for the Explorers.

The Explorers (3-1 in the tournament) advance to play the Bakersfield (Calif.) A’s today at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Meanwhile, the Midland Emerson ACes went 2-0 on Tuesday in the consolation bracket at the ISC.

Sean Hoffman went 3-for-3 with two homers as the ACes beat the Bar on the Avenue Buzz (Wis.) 10-2 in five innings.

Ken Hoffman, Justin Krenzke, and Josh Thompson also homered for the ACes. Thompson also went 3-for-3.

Kyle Crawford earned the win with four shutout innings of two-hit ball. Ty Sebastien allowed two runs in one inning of relief.
The ACes then beat the Hickson (Ont.) Reds 8-1. No further details were available from that game.

Today, the ACes play Randy’s A’s from Invermere, British Columbia at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.