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 Frederick Keys

Davis' Blasts Send Keys to 3-1 Walk-Off Win, Series Sweep

April 7, 2013 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Glynn Davis had never hit a walk-off home run before. He hadn't recorded a multi-homer game in his professional career, either.

He can cross those feats of his checklist.

Davis homered twice Sunday, the last a two-run shot to left-center in the bottom of the 10th inning that sent the Frederick Keys to a 3-1 victory over Salem, their second walk-off win in as many days, and a series sweep on opening weekend. The Keys' center fielder and leadoff hitter finished 2-for-5, driving in all three of his team's runs, and robbed Nate Natoli of a hit in the top of the 10th with a diving catch in shallow center.

Davis' first blast down the left-field line tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth inning. He said he knew that one was gone, even on a gusty day that saw several fly balls knocked down by the wind. He wasn't so sure about the game-winner.

"When I hit it, I thought it had a chance," said Davis, who doubled his career home run total in front of 5,982 fans at Harry Grove Stadium. "I knew for sure it was gonna get down (for a hit). I was happy with that. When it went out, it was even more exciting."

The victory moves Frederick to 3-0 on the season.

"It's not always gonna end that way, but so far what I've seen is a little tenacity from this ballclub - not wanting to lay down," said Keys manager Ryan Minor. "You get a little taste of winning late in ballgames, you start to get more comfortable knowing you're never out of a ballgame."

Tim Berry started for the Keys and allowed just one run. It came in the first inning on Salem third baseman Garin Cecchini's two-out RBI single. Berry, a lefty, scattered five hits, walked one and struck out two before passing the game off to the bullpen, which extended its scoreless inning streak to 11 innings on Sunday.

Three Keys relievers combined to throw five scoreless innings and Salem recorded just one hit after Berry left the ballgame. It came off righty Matt Bischoff, who struck out four in two innings and was followed by righty Marcel Prado, who also fanned four Red Sox. Gene Escat made his second appearance of the season and pitched a perfect 10th inning, thanks in part to Davis' diving catch, and earned his first win of the year.

"That's an impressive start," said Minor of his bullpen. "That's not going to happen all year, but you do feel comfortable knowing that if you're down by a run or two, you're gonna keep the game close. That's what you want your bullpen to do, keep it close or keep the lead." Salem starting pitcher Kyle Stroup held Frederick to just three hits and a walk in five innings and was replaced by Michael McCarthy to start the sixth inning. Davis led off that frame with his first home run.

Robby Scott lost his first game of the year after replacing McCarthy with one out in the ninth. Scott, a left-handed pitcher, kept the Keys from scoring catcher Michael Ohlman, who doubled, from second with one out in that inning, but Connor Narron singled off him to start the bottom of the 10th, Sammie Starr moved Narron to second with a sacrifice bunt and then Davis launched a 1-0 pitch over the fence.

The Keys finished Sunday with eight hits. Davis hit a pair of home runs, Michael Ohlman, who DH-ed, went 2-for-4 with a double, first baseman Narron finished 2-for-3 with a double, single and a walk in his first game of the season and Nicky Delmonico and Sammie Starr each had a hit.

Keys pitchers recorded 11 strikeouts Sunday and allowed Salem just four runs for the three-game series.

The Keys are off Monday and then begin their final series of the season-opening homestand Tuesday night. Frederick takes on Winston-Salem Tuesday at 7 p.m. Probable pitchers for that game are right-hander Zach Davies for the Keys and right-hander Terance Marin for the Dash.

Tickets for Tuesday's game can be purchased at the Keys' box office, online at FrederickKeys.com or by phone at 301-815-9939.


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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.

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