Aces Clinch Second-Half Title with Win Over Colts
Published on August 13, 2007 under United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release
ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana - After dominating the second half of the ULB season, the Alexandria Aces (31-10) now have a title to show for it. The Aces clinched the second-half championship on Monday by defeating the San Angelo Colts (19-21) 3-2 in front of their home crowd at Bringhurst Field. The Aces will take on the first-half champions, the Rio Grande Valley White Wings, in the best-of-seven ULB Championship Series, which starts on August 24 in Harlingen, Texas.
The Colts did have an early 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-out, solo home run by Josh Hollingsworth, his fourth of the year. However, the Aces scored twice in the second off Colts starter Brian Henschel (7-7) to grab a 2-1 advantage. Palmer Karr led off the frame with a single and scored on a triple by Bryan Sabatella, who then came home on a groundout by Evan Cherry.
Henschel took a tough loss, as he picked up his third complete game, tossing all eight innings. The right-hander allowed three runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and no walks.
San Angelo tied the score at 2-2 in the third when Ronnie Gaines blasted a solo homer to left-center field off Aces starter Buddy Bengel (5-4). The dinger was Gaines' 17th of the year, surpassing Jason Crosland to give Gaines the team lead.
Alexandria regained the lead for good in the fourth, as Josh Tranum, who has a 21-game hitting streak at home, began the frame with a double. He went to third on a one-out single by Luis Guance and then scored on an RBI groundout by Sabatella, who drove home two runs on the night.
After Gaines' homer, the Colts posted just three hits and five baserunners total for the rest of the way, as the Alexandria bullpen was excellent. After Bengel went six innings, in which he allowed two runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk, three relievers combined to throw three hitless frames.
Charlie Foster worked 2/3 of an inning as he began the seventh and allowed the tying run to reach second base. However, Julio Castro came in to face Gaines and Castro struck him out to strand the runner. Castro also pitched a perfect eighth inning and closer Justin Dowdy hurled a 1-2-3 ninth for his 23rd save.
The Colts continue this four-game series in Alexandria with game two against the Aces at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14. The Colts battle the Aces for seven straight games, as the two teams will also square off in the Colts' final home series from Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19.
Advertising, ticket, and group information are available by calling the box office at (325) 942-6587. All Colts games are broadcast live on "Cool 100" - KCLL 100.1 FM and online at the Colts' official website, www.sanangelocolts.com, which is updated daily with the latest team news.
The San Angelo Colts are a part of a six-team league that make up United League Baseball. The independent league has teams located in San Angelo, Laredo, Amarillo, Edinburg, and Rio Grande Valley, Texas as well as Alexandria, Louisiana, and began play in the 2006 season.
United League Baseball Stories from August 13, 2007
- Aces Clinch Second-Half Title with Win Over Colts - San Angelo Colts
- Aces Clinch Second Half Title - Alexandria Aces
- Cress, Fox Lead WhiteWings - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Fox Breaks Single-Season Home Run Record - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Dillas Finish With Record-Setting Season - Amarillo Dillas
- Colts' comeback falls short in 7-5 loss to Coyotes - San Angelo Colts
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