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Aiken Loses Early Lead, Series to League-Leading Peanuts

July 18, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Aiken Foxhounds News Release


AIKEN, S.C. - With a chance to send the visiting South Georgia Peanuts (39-12, 6-1) home with their first series loss since early June, the Aiken Foxhounds (25-28, 3-5) came up short, losing a 2-0 lead after a lightning delay and falling 5-3 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium Wednesday night.

Aiken jumped ahead early against South Georgia starter Jerome Gamble, who was being watched by numerous scouts in the stands. With one out in the frame, Bradley Key lined a 2-1 pitch off the scoreboard in left-center field.

A pair of newcomers playing their first game in a Foxhounds' uniform combined to get a second run home as Tony Harper singled and scored on an RBI single from Andy Bane for a 2-0 lead after two.

The Peanuts got one run back in the top of the third against another Aiken newcomer, starting pitcher John Ducey. Jasha Balcom singled and scored one out later on a Mike Caruso RBI single.

Things got interesting in the top of the fourth. Two walks sandwiched an error by the third baseman as the Peanuts loaded the bases. Just as Aiken went to their bullpen and pulled Ducey in favor of reliever Brian Grijalva the umpires pulled the players because of lightning.

After an hour long delay, Grivalja took the mound in the same situation. Johnny Washington greeted the hurler with an RBI single up the middle to tie the game. Doc Brooks pinch-hit for Gamble and delivered another single that plated two runs. Washington would come around to score on a bunt single by Jasha Balcom.

The game moved along quickly after the top of the fourth as neither team scored for eight consecutive half-innings.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Foxhounds threatened to get back into the game. Scott Houin led off the inning with a triple down the third-base line. Garth McKinney followed with an RBI single to cut the lead to two. After a Josh Eachues walk put runners on first and second with no outs, Drew Shetrone came out of the bullpen to get Kelly Hunt, Key, and Tony Harper in order to end the rally.

Shetrone then set the 'Hounds down in order in the ninth for his sixth save of the season and second in as many nights.

None of the Foxhounds had multi-hit nights as seven different players had one hit. Balcom led the Peanuts with a 3-for-5 night while Washington had two hits in four at-bats.

Aiken returns to Hernandez Stadium tomorrow for a rare afternoon doubleheader. The first pitch of game one against the Bradenton Juice is slated for 1:05 PM.



South Coast League Stories from July 18, 2007


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