Inside Lincoln's closer by committee strategy at the end of close games

Lincoln’s Matt Cronin throws a pitch against Fargo-Moorhead on May 23 at Haymarket Park.

Lincoln's 5-3 win over Chicago on Wednesday continued a budding trend for the Saltdogs this season.

Devin Conn notched his first save of the season, becoming the eighth different Saltdogs' pitcher to record a save this summer.

Steffon Moore leads Lincoln with five saves, while Matt Cronin has closed out four games. Carter Hope has three with Zach Keenan, RJ Freure, Walter Borkovich, Nick Laio and Conn each recording one.

Lincoln had 11 different pitchers record a save in 2019.

“I think why it's been this way this year is just kind of matchup-wise or availability-wise, and honestly, I trust a lot of the guys,” Lincoln manager Brett Jodie said. “Usually you want roles more defined where they know. For the most part, it's Steffon, but some other factors go into that too. You have some guys that want to extend themselves out and not just want to go one-one-one (inning). They want to go two or maybe two-plus or something. If you do that you need a day or two off. … So we are going (by) some matchup-type things and freshness of availability.”

The handful of different pitchers Lincoln has tossed in to close out a game isn't a trust aspect to Jodie, it's a sign of respect.

“We will do whatever we have to do to get through it, but for the most part, the guys are ready,” Jodie said. “That's something I really respect about these guys. They're ready, they're willing to get after it no matter what the score is or what inning it is and ready to get the job done with no excuses.

Conn has made 11 appearances out of the Lincoln bullpen, totaling 12 innings with a 2.25 earned run average. He struck out two and allowed just one run in a different role on Wednesday.

“You try not to change too much with the mindset, but you definitely understand the game is in your hands at that point and the manager is trusting you to close it out,” Conn said. “Understanding you're the one in charge to close it out, I wouldn't really say it changes the mindset, but it gets you going a little more.”

One for the historians: Gavin Dickey had a 22-game hit streak for the Saltdogs in 2011. Luke Roskam currently has a 36-game on-base streak going, but the on-base record is currently unknown. Kane County's Josh Allen holds the longest on-base streak this season of 39 games between May 20 to July 7.

David Holmberg tossed seven strong innings, and RJ Freure picked up the save to fend off Chicago 5-4 at Haymarket Park.

Holmberg allowed just four hits and struck out five as the Saltdogs offense gave him a 5-0 lead behind RBIs from Yanio Perez, Nate Samson and Will Kengor.

Chicago battled back for four unanswered runs with two runs in the eighth and ninth innings before Freure stranded Chicago's tying and go-ahead runs on base.

Lincoln returns to action Friday at Lake Country to begin a three-game series in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin at 6:30 p.m.

Lincoln's Yanio Perez wears a special jersey as the team became the Swiftdogs for one night only as part of a Taylor Swift promotion Fridayat Haymarket Park.

David Holmberg of the Swiftdogs delivers the opening pitch against Sioux City on Friday at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs' Will Kengor gets a hit in the second inning Friday at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs' Marshall Awtry (from left) high-fives Nate Samson after his second-inning homer scored himself and Josh Roeder on Friday at Haymarket Park.

Taylor Swift fans dressed the part, including from her most recent tour, on Friday at Haymarket Park. The Lincoln baseball team changed its name to Swiftdogs for one night only as part of a Taylor Swift promotion.

Lincoln's David Holmberg pitches against Sioux City on Friday at Haymarket Park.

Lincoln's Marshall Awtry points to the outfield after hitting a home run against Sioux City on June 30 at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs stand for the national anthem before taking on Sioux City on Friday at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs' Drew Devine rounds third base after hitting a home run in the second inning on Friday at Haymarket Park.

Fans sits on the hill beyond the center-field wall while the Lincoln takes on Sioux City on Friday at Haymarket Park.

Sunlight peaks through cloud coverage in the second inning as the Swiftdogs take on Sioux City on Friday at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs' Zach St. Pierre catches a popfly in right field in the first inning against Siouix City on Friday at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs Zach St. Pierre wears the sorting hat from the Harry Potter series as he celebrates a home run against the Sioux City Explorers on Friday at Haymarket Park. The Lincoln Saltdogs became the "Swiftdogs" for one night, as tickets to a Taylor Swift concert were up for grabs to all ticketholders.

Homer, the Lincoln mascot, dons a special jersey as the local team became the Swiftdogs for one night only as part of a Taylor Swift promotion Friday at Haymarket Park.

The Swiftdogs' Drew Devine plays catch on the field before taking on the Sioux City Explorers on Friday at Haymarket Park. The Lincoln American Association team changed its name and its uniform as part of a Taylor Swift promotion.

The Swiftdogs' Zach St. Pierre wears the sorting hat from the Harry Potter series as he celebrates a fourth-inning home run with his team during Friday's game against the Sioux City Explorers at Haymarket Park.

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Lincoln Stars/Lincoln Saltdogs reporter

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