Astros Win Another Thriller, 4-3
June 23, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (2-2) defeated the Princeton Rays (2-2) in an extra innings thriller on Sunday night at Pioneer Park. Tied up at 3-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning, heads-up base running by Antonio Nunez led to the Astros' second straight win.
With two outs and Nunez in as a pinch-runner following a Connor Goedert double, Ramon Laureano headed to first when the ball hit the dirt on strike three. When Princeton's catcher Taylor Hawkins attempted to throw him out, Laureano reached safely as the ball skipped passed the first baseman. That allowed Nunez just enough time to head home and beat the throw back in for the winning score.
Had things went differently moments before, it might not have ended that way. In the top of the 10th inning, the Rays had the bases loaded with one out. Then Astros' left-handed sidearmer Zach Davis, a 25th round selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, stepped up and struck out the next two Princeton batters to keep the score even and give himself an opportunity to earn his first professional win.
Even before Davis entered the game, Greeneville's pitchers were having a strong night. In the end, they piled up 16 strikeouts. Starting right-hander Jose Montero racked up seven strikeouts over five innings and surrendered two runs on three hits. Agapito Barrios followed with six strikeouts over four innings while allowing one run on five hits. Then, Davis finished the game with three strikeouts in the final frame.
Throughout the game, the lead went back-and-forth. Early on, the Astros took the initial lead when Jason Martin scored on a throwing error following a leadoff triple in the first inning. Then, in the third, Princeton jumped ahead on a Nic Wilson two-run double. Eventually, after four scoreless innings, the Astros went back ahead in the eighth after a Connor Goedert sacrifice fly in foul territory and a Luis Reynoso RBI single. However, with two outs and a runner at third, Princeton got the tying run to send the game into extra innings on a Hector Montes ground ball right up the middle.
Despite the potential letdown of allowing the lead to slip away, the Astros responded the way winning clubs do. They fought back and earned an exciting win for the second consecutive night.
Greeneville will face Princeton in game two of their three-game home series on Monday Pioneer Park. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Appalachian League Stories from June 23, 2014
- D-Braves Top Johnson City Cardinals 6-2 - Danville Otterbots
- K-Mets Jump on Bluefield Early, Win 5-2 - Kingsport Axmen
- D-Braves Give up 10; Lose to Johnson City - Danville Otterbots
- Astros Win Another Thriller, 4-3 - Greeneville Astros
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