Aces Hold On For Win, Lead Series 2-0

Published on August 25, 2007 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


Harlingen, TX - The first half champion Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (0-2) sent the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't score against Justin Dowdy as the second half and defending United League champion Alexandria Aces (2-0) held on for a 5-2 victory in game two of the United League Championship Series tonight at Harlingen Field. The Aces lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Up 5-2 in the eighth, the Aces called upon Dowdy for a two-inning save, and after retiring the first five batters he faced, the WhiteWings mounted a rally as John Beal singled and Bub Bergstrom drew a seven-pitch walk. Omar Bramasco came to the plate and hit a deep drive down the left field line that just hooked foul. Bramasco ended up drawing a ten-pitch walk to load the bases, but Miguel Peguero struck out to end it.

The Aces got on the board first again, this time without the benefit of a hit against Kenny Evoniuk (0-1). Bryan Sabatella led off the second with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on a wild pitch.

Walks continued to be trouble in the third as Richard Paz drew a leadoff walk. One batter later Josh Tranum walked and Palmer Karr Jr. followed with the Aces' first hit, an RBI-single, to make it 2-0.

Kevin Griffin put the WhiteWings on the board on the first pitch of the fifth from Frank James Jr. (1-0) with an absolute blast beyond the clubhouse in left field to make it 2-1.

The Aces responded in the sixth when Tranum led off with a single and move to third on a pair of wild pitches. Sabatella came up with two outs and hit a two-run homer over the right-center field wall to make it 4-1.

Evoniuk ended up going six innings, allowing four runs on four hits with six walks and five strikeouts.

The WhiteWings got one back in the sixth when Peguero clubbed a solo home run to make it 4-2.

James only pitched to three more batters, lasting five and a third innings, allowing two runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Richard Paz took that run right back with a solo-homer of his own in the seventh against Wilfredo Laureano, who was making his WhiteWings debut, to make it 5-2.

The series shifts to Alexandria on Monday when the WhiteWings and Aces play game three at Bringhurst Field at 7:05 p.m. Maximino de la Cruz (6-7, 4.36) will face Adam Frey (6-3, 5.18).

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United League Baseball Stories from August 25, 2007


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