Another Dramatic Victory in Abilene

June 26, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


Abilene, TX - There is very little normalcy surrounding the Prairie Dogs return to Abilene. The Dogs are playing at McMurry University as the club awaits the construction of its new home, the team has dealt with inclement weather during many of its first seven home contests, and when the leaves turn brown the Prairie Dogs will have hosted merely one third of the 96 games on their schedule. However, Abilene has made the most of their time at home. On Monday night, the Prairie Dogs registered their third walk-off victory of the season with a 6-5 victory in 10 innings over San Angelo.

After Wilson Batista popped out to the pitcher to begin the bottom of the 10th, Joe Weik laced fastball inside third base for a one-out double. With the game-winning run in scoring position, Case Rigby, in only his second game with the Prairie Dogs, slapped a grounder that slipped below Danny Hernandez's glove at shortstop and allowed Weik to race across home plate with the run that brought the game to a close.

The Dogs scored right away on Monday night when Wilson Batista launched a solo homer in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 Abilene lead - It was Batista's second home run off San Angelo starter Jose Sanchez in less than a week.

Prairie Dogs' ace Adam Rowe took to the hill on Monday with the second best ERA in the league. However, after facing three batters in the first, Rowe walked the leadoff batter and then allowed a single to Landon Camp to put the first two men aboard. Jason Crosland, who entered the game batting .183, then slashed a two-run triple into left-centerfield for a pair of R.B.I.s, and Jamar Walton singled home Crosland for a 3-1 San Angelo lead.

The third inning did not provide a breather for Rowe who allowed a leadoff single to J.J. Sherrill before issuing a two-out walk to Landon Camp - Rowe walked two batters over his first six starts before walking five batters on Monday night. That allowed Crosland to stride to the plate with two runners on for the second time in as many innings. And the power-hitting righty came through once again as he belted a two-run single into right-field for a 5-1 Colts' advantage.

In the bottom of the third, Nick Ochoa used one swing to help Abilene climb back in the game. With the bases loaded, Ochoa launched a deep fly ball into right field. As J.J. Sherrill ranged back toward the wall, he dove head first into the base of the fence. The ball banged off the wall and three runs came around to score. After Ochoa was thrown out at home plate, the San Angelo players on the field ran out to gather around Sherrill who lay motionless in deep right field. After staying down for about five minutes, Sherrill helped himself to his feet and walked off on his own power. The outfielder did not go to the hospital.

Trailing 5-4, the Dogs came back to the plate in the eighth. Batista began the frame with a walk and Rigby did the same with one out to put two runners on, setting the stage for Ochoa once more. The D.H. capitalized yet again, dropping a single into centerfield and tying the game with his fourth R.B.I. of the night.

The Game remained tied until the bottom of the tenth inning when Rigby became the hero.

Jeremy Tietze pitched a pair of hitless innings for his first win of the season, and Kyle Boggio dropped to 0-2 with the loss.

The Dogs victory means a split in the eight-game series. Abilene will host Rio Grande Valley at 7:05 on Tuesday night. Hear the game on 106.9 KLGD beginning with the pregame show at 6:55.



North American League Stories from June 26, 2012


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