Sports stats



SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

23 Suns Runs Fuel Sweep Of Shorebirds

August 30, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD -- The Hagerstown Suns (21-38) scored multiple runs in each of their first seven trips to the plate at Municipal Stadium on Sunday afternoon, completing a doubleheader and series sweep of the Delmarva Shorebirds (28-31) with a 6-3 win in Game 2 after dominating the opener, 17-6.

The 17 Suns runs in Game 1 established a season high, as Hagerstown settled for just two runs apiece in the first and second innings before exploding for six runs in the third, then coming back to earth with two tallies in the fourth, three in the fifth, and a pair more in the sixth.

Red-hot newcomer J.R. Higley led the way for the Suns in just his second game as Hagerstown's right fielder, crushing home runs over the massive Municipal Stadium centerfield wall in both the third and sixth innings. Having scored twice in his Suns debut on Saturday after being called up from Short-Season Vermont, Higley took it to another level with a three-four-four, four-RBI, three-run performance in Sunday's opener.

Catcher Derek Norris also drove in four runs, while shortstop Steven Souza scored three times. The Suns hit over .500 as a team in the game, collecting 17 hits in 33 official at bats.

The offensive outpouring started quietly with a perfect, first-inning bunt single by left fielder Valerio Heredia, who came around to score on a Norris double. Higley later singled home Norris for his first Suns RBI, and Hagerstown starter Patrick Lehman (1-1) was quickly staked to a 2-0 lead.

The Shorebirds seized that lead from Lehman with three runs in the second, but Hagerstown mounted a two-run, two-out rally in the bottom of the frame to re-take the lead and never looked back. The Suns' decisive six-run third opened with Higley's first homer, and culminated with a Norris three-run double.

As Hagerstown poured it on, second baseman Steve Lombardozzi, designated hitter Travis Reagan and third baseman James Keithley each drove in two runs apiece, while Heredia, Lombardozzi, Reagan and first baseman Tyler Moore each scored twice.

In the doubleheader's second game, the tide looked like it was beginning to turn against the Suns, as starter Juan Jaime (3-1) gave up a pair of runs on three singles in a rough first inning. The Hagerstown offense responded for Jaime with three runs in the bottom of the first, however, as Moore drove a game-tying, two-run double to centerfield and came around to give the Suns the lead on a Souza two-bagger.

After a Lombardozzi sacrifice fly put Hagerstown up 4-2 in the second, the Shorebirds pulled back to within a run in the fourth. Delmarva was primed to take the lead in the sixth against Suns' reliever Patrick Arnold, but with the bases loaded and one out, Arnold induced an inning-ending double play to preserve the lead.

The defensive stand propelled Hagerstown into the bottom of the sixth, where the Suns picked up two insurance runs, thanks to singles from right fielder Michael Guerrero and left fielder Robby Jacobsen, as well as two errors by Delmarva second baseman L.J. Hoes.

Jacobsen was a perfect four-for-four in Game 2 after taking off the opener on his 25th birthday. Moore and Lombardozzi drove in two runs apiece.

Arnold picked up his second hold of the season, while Carlos Peralta earned the save with a scoreless seventh.

The Suns, who entered their series against the Shorebirds with only four home wins in the second half of the 2009 South Atlantic League season, nearly doubled that total in completing the three-game sweep, improving to 12-10 against Delmarva for the year.

Hagerstown visits Lakewood for a three-game road series starting Monday, then returns to Municipal Stadium on Thursday at 7:05 to wrap up the 2009 season with five games against Lake County.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from August 30, 2009


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.

Other Recent Hagerstown Suns Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central