CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Walk off on Wilmington 5-4

Published on May 4, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(WOODBRIDGE, VA) - On his fourth hit of the day, Ricky Hague knocked in Randolph Oduber on a walk-off single with two outs in the ninth as Potomac defeated Wilmington 5-4 at Pfitzner Stadium. In the first extra-innings game of the year, the Nationals and Blue Rocks combined for 26 hits.

The Nationals and Blue Rocks were tied heading into the ninth 4-4. With one out against Wilmington pitcher Jon Keck, Oduber was again in the middle of a rally with a walk. Oduber then stole with two out and Hague at bat. On a 3-2 pitch, Hague knocked a ball in front of right fielder Guelin Beltre and went off Beltre's glove and easily scored Oduber for the winner to give the P-Nats a 5-4 win. It was the fourth single of the day for Hague.

In the first meeting between the clubs, Wilmington opened the scoring in the second inning off Potomac starter RHP Matt Swynenberg. With one out, Roman Hernandez and Geulin Beltre both singled to put runners at the corners. Hernandez scored on a Jake Kuebler single to give the Blue Rocks a 1-0 advantage.

The Nationals got their scoring started in the bottom half of the second against LHP Ryan Dennick. The original starter of the contest RHP Yoradno Ventura was a late scratch. Zach Walters and Justin Bloxom both singled to put runners at the corners with two out. Wade Moore came up with a big hit on a double that scored both Walters and Bloxom leading to the first lead of the game for Potomac 2-1.

Potomac scored another in the third on a solo homer by Randolph Oduber extended the lead to 3-1. His third shot of the year went off of the batters eye just to the left of dead center in deep center field. Dennick ended his day with a no-decision tossing four innings, striking out five, walking none while yielding three earned runs.

The lead for Nationals would be erased in the sixth. Brian Fletcher led off the inning with a single. Brett Eiber drilled a double that went off the left field wall that scored Fletcher and brought the Blue Rocks within 3-2 of Potomac. Kevin David singled to put runners at the corners. Swynenberg walked Geulin Beltre to load the bases with one out. Jake Kuebler singled to knock in Eibner and David and Wilmington retook the lead 4-3. Swynenberg got out of the inning with a double play -- one of three he used in his appearance. His day was over after the sixth with the following line: 11 hits, four runs, one walk and one strikeout over 84 pitches.

The back and forth game continued the bottom of seventh. Hague singled in Oduber with one out to tie the game 4-4.

The P-Nats got another brilliant day out of their bullpen. After four and two-thirds innings scoreless in yesterday's win over Winston-Salem, Neil Holland tossed three scoreless innings with just one base runner and three strikeouts. Holland earned his first win of the season. Keck took his first loss of 2012.

Potomac continues their three-game series with Wilmington tomorrow night with a 6:35 PM start in Woodbridge. The Nationals send RHP Kyle Winters (3-1, 5.74) to the hill on a Fireworks Night. To see Potomac, call us at 703-590-2311.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from May 4, 2012


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.

OurSports Central