Jackets Take Game One of SAL Championship Series
Published on September 8, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Augusta, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets (1-0) opened the 2008 South Atlantic League Championship Series with a 9-3 win over the West Virginia Power (0-1) on Monday night. Starter Craig Clark recorded the win while Juan Ciriaco and James Simmons each drove in three runs.
Augusta jumped on Power starter R.J. Seidel early scoring six runs in the first inning and sending 10 batters to the plate. Shane Jordan and Nick Noonan began the first with back-to-back singles then Ciriaco followed with a three-run homer to put Augusta up 3-0.
Simmons connected for a one out, two-run single then Dom Duggan followed with an RBI infield single for a 6-0 lead.
Augusta added three more runs in the second inning for a 9-0 lead and to case Seidel from the game. With the bases loaded and nobody out Angel Villalona connected for an RBI single then Garrett Baker followed with an RBI sac-fly to deep centerfield. Simmons came through two batters later with an RBI ground out to cap off the scoring.
Clark (1-0) worked six innings and allowed two runs, one earned, one six hits. The lefty did not walk a batter and struck out eight in his first postseason appearance in 2008.
The Power broke up the shutout in the fifth inning scoring twice. Zealous Wheeler led off the frame with a single then Curt Rindal followed with a base hit into center that Jordan misplayed allowing Wheeler to score on the error. Eric Ferris had an RBI sac-fly to center in the frame as well.
West Virginia got its third run of the game in the ninth inning off reliever Henry Sosa on a one-out RBI single from Matt Cline.
The GreenJackets and Power will hook up for Game 2 of the SAL Championship Series Tuesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Augusta will send left-hander Madison Bumgarner (1-0, 0.00) to the mound for his second postseason start. West Virginia counters with lefty Daniel Merklinger (7-9, 5.75), making his first postseason appearance. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6:05 p.m. for the final game in the 2008 season at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
Game Notes:
David Mixon worked two shutout innings in relief of Clark allowing a pair of hits and striking out one.
Trey Webb recorded the final two outs of the game on a strikeout and a pop out.
Everyone in the lineup for Augusta reached safely with a hit or walk.
Juan Ciriaco finished 3-for-5.
The GreenJackets are two wins away from their third South Atlantic League Championship and first since 1999.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 8, 2008
- Jackets Take Game One of SAL Championship Series - Augusta GreenJackets
- Power Fall Behind Early In 9-3 Loss To Augusta - Charleston Dirty Birds
- September 11 Special for First Responders and Armed Forces - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Kuboushek Named Sales Executive Of The Year - Lexington Legends
- Championship Series Yields One More Buck Night - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Prestigious South Atlantic League Club Merit Award Given to the Greenville Drive - Greenville Drive
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
