Shorebirds Split Two with Tourists on Saturday
April 8, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
Salisbury, Md. - The Delmarva Shorebirds split their doubleheader with the Asheville Tourists on Saturday night, winning game two 8-2 and falling in game one 8-4. RHP Parker Bridwell tossed five strong innings to earn his first career South Atlantic League win. John Ruettiger recorded four hits during the doubleheader and reached base six times. The Shorebirds have drawn 19 walks over the first three games of the year.
Ruettiger has been outstanding through three games for Delmarva. He has five hits, four runs scored, four walks and three stolen bases. The Joliet, Illinois native has reached base nine times in three games.
Nicky Delmonico had an impressive doubleheader, recording three hits, two runs scored and two RBIs.
In game one, Asheville used a five-run fifth inning to build a comfortable lead. The Shorebirds held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the early innings. Sammie Starr delivered a two-out single in the second inning to give the 'Birds a 2-1 cushion.
Asheville countered with seven unanswered runs over the next three innings. In the fifth, Shorebirds reliever Jose Nivar issued three walks and gave up two key RBI hits to David Kandilas and Trevor Story. Delta Cleary, Jr. hit a two run single against reliever Zach Davies.
Down 8-2 in the sixth, Nicky Delmonico delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 8-4.
Kenneth Roberts entered in the seventh and struck out three to finish off the Shorebirds.
Tim Berry was saddled with the loss in a four-inning start. He struck out seven and walked just one.
For a third straight game, the Shorebirds were the first to strike to game two. Asheville starter Geoff Parker walked Delmonico and Mychal Givens in the second. Sammie Starr was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ruettiger followed with an RBI single to give the Shorebirds a 1-0 lead. Then, Mikey Planeta drew a bases loaded walk to force home Givens. Planeta walked three times in game two.
In front 2-1 in the fourth, Wynston Sawyer delivered a hard hit double that rolled to the wall in left field to score Ruettiger and Planeta.
Parker Bridwell silenced Asheville over five innings to earn the win. He allowed just four hits and one run. Bridwell fanned three and walked just one. The 20-year old ended his outing by retiring nine of the final ten batters he faced including six in a row.
The Shorebirds added three more runs in the sixth inning. Asheville reliever Taylor Reid walked three straight batters and the Shorebirds capitalized. Sawyer drew a bases loaded walk, Webb grounded into a fielder's choice to produce a run and Connor Narron singled home Jason Esposito.
Mikey Planeta blasted a double off the top of the center field fence in the seventh to score Ruettiger.
Williams Louico pitched the final two innings of game two. He allowed two hits and one run, a home run to left by Jared Simon. Louico registered four of his six outs by strikeouts.
The Shorebirds and Tourists play the series finale on Sunday at 2:05pm. RHP Tyler Wilson is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.
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