Alexandria Aces Fall to Thunder, 2-1
May 26, 2013 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Alexandria Aces News Release
ALEXANDRIA- Trent Evins pitched seven shutout innings and right fielder Tim Battle threw out Craig Littleman at the plate for the final out of the Texas Thunder's 2-1 victory against the Alexandria Aces.
Littleman, who was activated to the roster in the hours before the game, began the bottom of the ninth inning at Bringhurst Field with a double to left center and was promptly sacrificed to second base by Eddie Murray.
Jason Thomas then hit a two strike sinking liner to right field that Battle caught coming in. The veteran outfielder who played in the New York Yankees chain from 2003-08 then made a perfect throw to the third base side of home plate in plenty of time to nail Littleman by a large margin.
"As soon as the ball was hit I said "ÃËYou have to take the chance! Let's go!'" said manager Von Hayes, who was coaching at third. "We have no idea what the outfielder's throwing arms are, we only see them hitting. The situation is we have to make them throw us out."
Before the dramatic ending, the storyline of the game was the fantastic pitcher's duel between Evins, a husky righthander with a nasty sidearm delivery, and Alexandria's Ryan Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, who attracted 15 friends from Natchitotoches, where he pitched collegiately at Northwestern State, began the game by throwing eight straight strikes and striking out the first two batters. He would finish by throwing seven innings of two hit baseball, fanning 10 and walking only one hitter in his first pro start.
"He was outstanding," Hayes said. "He got ahead of hitters and had a good putaway pitch."
"My out pitch was the breaking ball," said Zimmerman, who despite his reputation as a breaking ball pitcher showed good velocity as well."
Zimmerman also credited catcher Doug Freeman with calling a good game.
"He gave me the opportunity to succeed," Zimmerman said. "He called an awesome game. We were on the same page all night."
Freeman also threw out two would-be base stealers and even picked Jacinto Cipriota off third base for the final out of the ninth inning.
Evins was Zimmerman's equal, however. Victimized last season in the hitter-friendly Pecos League with a 4-7 record and 7.49 ERA in 2012, the second year pro allowed only five hits and two walks.
"He has a good fastball and challenges hitters," Thunder manager Eddie Dennis said of Evins (1-0) before the game. The Thunder scored twice in the top of the eighth off reliever Andrew Loynaz. After Cipriota singled to begin the frame, Loynaz then struggled with his control, walking three batters.
Cody Bishop then greeted new reliever Nate Stewart with a line drive single to right field to plate Lucas Nakandakare with the second run.
"I told Loynaz not to let this effet him. I love his stuff. If the situation dictates itself I'd go with him tomorrow," Hayes said.
The Aces scored a run without benefit of a hit in the bottom of the eighth. Lefty Rick Croshaw came on to relieve Evins and promptly walked Jason Thomas. Austin Newell followed with a ground ball back to the box that went under Croshaw's glove and through the middle of the infield, allowing the Aces' right fielder to reach on the error.
Pinch-hitter Zack Cadet then laid down a bunt toward third that Croshaw fielded, but his throw to third baseman Mario Perez was dropped and everyone was safe.
Ryan Gasporra then hit a long fly ball to the warning track in right that Battle caught for a sacrifice fly.
Vince Coleman Jr. was then brought in to relieve Croshaw, and he promptly threw a wild pitch to advance the runners into scoring position. But Eldred Barnett could only ground out to shortstop Andy White with the infield drawn in to keep Phil Rowland, running for Newell, at third base.
After an intentional walk to switch hitter Cameron Dullnig loaded the bases, Dennis called for righthander Ramon Geronimo to pitch to Freeman. The catcher from Lakeland, Florida proceeded to pop out to second base, ending the Aces' threat.
Alex Fernandez was called on by the Thunder to pitch the ninth inning and he recorded his second save.
Tomorrow's game features Clay Vanderlann from Cameron University against fellow righthander Eddie Dennis Jr., a third-year pro. Game time at Bringhurst Field is at 6:05 p.m. for the Sunday game.
The Thunder's record is now 2-1. The Aces fall to 1-2.
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