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Independence Day 2024 was a day of celebrating our nation, freedom, and our Lincoln Potters, who got back in the win column in a big way, taking down the West Coast Kings in a 12-4 victory. It was a night of big hits, stellar pitching, and quality baseball at McBean Stadium.

The Potters wasted no time waking up the bats in their half of the first, as Hasani Johnson launched a leadoff double down the right field line and the Potters quickly loaded the bases. Hudson Brown would get the scoring started, as he shot a line drive into the left-center gap, plating all three baserunners to give the Potters the lead, one that they would never surrender. Strings of hits would continue in the third inning, as the Potters would quickly put this game away, upping their lead to 9 runs before the Kings would score 3 to get on the board in the fifth.

Keeping the Kings at bay on the fourth was starting pitcher Anthony Martinez, who threw four scoreless innings in this PEL contest. Martinez was phenomenal on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out three, improving his summer record to a flawless 4-0. Logan Bell and Nolan Thebiay would combine for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing just two hits and striking out one and three batters respectively.

The final nail in the Kings’ coffin would be nailed by UCLA outfielder Payton Brennan. Brennan has been on a tear for the Potters since his debut on June 25. His 3-run home run in the bottom of the fifth would give the Potters a 12-3 lead, putting the team on cruise control for the final four frames. Brennan improved his batting average to .400 on the summer, as well as his OPS to 1.214.

A nineteen minute fireworks show put on by the city of Lincoln would be the cherry on top of a phenomenal fourth of July. As for the Potters’ next opponent, that will be the California Tigers, who will come to Lincoln for a three-game non-league series. All three games will begin at 7:35pm due to excessive heat in the area.