Bears Beat Spirit in 12

Published on August 24, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
North Shore Spirit News Release


The North Shore Spirit and Berkshire Black Bears locked up in a pitching duel Sunday afternoon at New Fraser Field in Lynn In the end visiting Berkshire prevailed 2-1 in twelve innings to earn a split of the four game series.

The game was played in front of a capacity crowd of 4,415 fans that certainly got their moneys worth. The Spirit jumped on Black Bear starter Tony Harden in the first, scoring a run without the benefit of a hit. Marcos Agramonte led the inning off with a walk, stole second, his ninetieth steal of the season, before being pushed to third on a John Schmitz infield-out. Clean-up batter Frank Charles knocked home Agramonte with a long sacrifice fly to left field for Spirit 1-0 lead.

That would be all the scoring the Spirit would muster against the Berkshire pitching staff. Harden was brilliant, holding the Spirit hitless through five innings and just two hits through nine. Harden who did not figure into the win struck-out 8 and walked 3.

Spirit starter Jeremy Sugarman was equally as effective allowing just one Berkshire run through 9-innings of seven hit ball. Sugarman held the Black Bears scoreless through five innings.

In the sixth Berkshire tied the game. Jose Mateo started the inning off with a walk and advanced to second on Shane Hopper's single to right. Manny Crespo slipped a base hit to right scoring Mateo to tie the game at 1-1.

It remained scoreless until the twelfth inning. Berkshire scored the winning run off Spirit closer Joe Ricciardi (1-7) with two-outs. Mateo walked and stole second followed by a walk to PJ Johnston to put runners on first and second. Shane Hopper then singled home the eventual game winner to make the score 2-1.

The Spirit had a chance in the eleventh inning when Yuri Sanchez and Agramonte put together back-to-back singles with 1-out, but Black Bear reliever Eddie Aucoin retired the next two batters to end the threat.

Aucoin (4-0) worked a scoreless tenth and eleventh inning to pick-up the win. Closer Matt Bailie worked a one-two-three twelfth inning to earn his twelfth save of the year.

The 4,415 was the largest crowd of the year to watch a North Shore Spirit game a New Fraser field. It was also the Spirit final regular season home-game of the season.

The Spirit embarks on a crucial 7-game road trip starting Tuesday in Quebec. The three game series with Quebec might just decide the Northeast League North Division Title. Quebec leads the Spirit by one-game in the standings.

You can catch all the action of Spirit baseball on flagship station WESX AM 1230 beginning at 6:30 with the pre-game show.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian American League Stories from August 24, 2003


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.

OurSports Central