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Aviators Drop Second Straight to Sports, 8-6

August 12, 2007 - American Association (AA)
Coastal Bend Aviators News Release


For the second night in a row, the Aviators had a lead but couldn't hold it.

Helped by a couple of Shreveport errors, they scored three times in the top of the third to grab the lead, 3-1. Brian Fryer reached on an error before Matt Spencer's double to deep center tied the game at 1. Bryon Smith followed with a single to center for a 2-1 lead. Then third baseman Juan Ventura couldn't handle Stephen Morales' grounder as Smith rounded third to make it 3-1.

But the Sports, who are a mathematical longshot to make the playoffs, kept playing as if a trip to the postseason was on the line. They rallied to tie the game at 3 in the bottom of the inning on three singles and two walks off Aviators starter Kevin Hull.

Coastal Bend came right back in the fourth when, with two on and two out, Spencer looped a single to left center that scored Ryan Smith for a 4-3 edge. Bryon Smith followed with his second live drive single to center which scored Chase Gerdes for a 5-3 cushion.

But in the bottom of the fourth, things came apart for Hull. An infield hit by Ventura and a one out single by Austin Pride put two on and made the number seven through nine batters in the Shreveport order 4 for 6 to that point in the contest. With two down, runners at the corners, and Deacon Burns at the plate, Hull's attempted pick off throw to first was off the mark, allowing Ventura to trot home from third. Burns eventually drew a walk to put runners on second and third before ex-Aviator Jack Joffrion stepped in. Hull got ahead in the count 0-2 and thought he had strike three on the next pitch, which was called ball one. Joffrion launched the next pitch over the left field wall for a 7-5 Shreveport lead. Shortly thereafter, Hull was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umipre.

The Aviators scratched out a run in the sixth, but never threatened in the final three innings. Shreveport added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh and took home game two of the three game series by the fianl of 8-6.

Game three is Sunday at 2:05pm. Likely starters are TJ Hendricks for Coastal bend and Mal Winters for Shreveport. The game can be heard locally on KOPY 1070 AM and online.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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