SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

'Birds Falter in Extras for First Loss

April 6, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


LEXINGTON, KY - The Lexington Legends tied it in the ninth and Chase Vallot won it in the 10th on a walkoff single, delivering the Delmarva Shorebirds their first loss of the season, 5-4, on Saturday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

With the Shorebirds (2-1) up 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Legends' (1-2) Nick Hutchins led off with a teardrop double to the right field corner and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Drew Rom struck out back-to-back batters, Michael Gigliotti hit a sharp grounder to short. Adam Hall had to rush the throw for the speedy Gigliotti and bounced it to first. Hutchins scored on the error to tie the game at 4-4 and send it to extras for the second time in three games.

Delmarva came away emptyhanded in the top of the 10th after free runner Cadyn Grenier got tagged out from third on a fielder's choice. With Eric Cole starting the home 10th on second, Vallot laced a line drive into left. Cole raced around to score ahead of the Will Robertson throw, and the defending SAL champs secured their first win of the season in dramatic fashion.

Jon Heasely (1-0) picked up the win for the Legends after a scoreless 10th. Nick Gruener (0-1) got the final out of the ninth and served up the game-ending single.

The Shorebirds struck big in the top of the third. Robertson led off with a single, then after a strikeout Hall and Grenier coaxed back-to-back walks. Robert Neustrom then powered a deep flyball to left center that smashed two feet from the top of the wall, bringing home a pair for a two-run double. Two batters later JC Encarnacion lofted a soft liner into left, chasing home Grenier and Neustrom to make it 4-0 Delmarva.

The Legends started nibbling away at the deficit in the fourth. Gigliotti bunted his way on with a leadoff single, and Eaton drew a walk to set the table. Cole flew out deep to left to allow Gigliotti to take third, and Eaton was caught stealing second for the second out. After a walk to Vallot, Reed Rohlman lashed a hard grounder through the legs of Seamus Curran at first and into right. Gigliotti scored, and Encarnacion's throw to the plate hit Vallot in the back, allowing him to score to cut the Delmarva lead to 4-2.

Lexington peeled off another in the fifth as Hutchins connected on his first of three doubles on the night and later scored on a Matt Morales single, making it 4-3. The Shorebirds and Legends each threatened multiple times after but couldn't bring anyone across until Lexington's ninth-inning breakthrough.

Neustrom finished 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Shorebirds. Hall went 1-for-2 with a double, run, and three walks.

Hutchins led the way for the Legends with three doubles and two runs scored.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Delmarva's Gray Fenter lasted five innings in his season debut, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits, walking three and striking out six. Lexington's Kris Bubic gave up four runs on five hits in his five-inning showing, walking two and fanning seven.

Drew Rom relieved Fenter out of the Shorebird bullpen and nearly finished off a four-inning save, giving up an unearned run on three hits in 3.2 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. The Orioles' No. 29 prospect is the reigning Kentucky Mr. Baseball and had over 100 local fans rooting him on in the same ballpark where his high school career ended in last season's Kentucky state tournament.

The Shorebirds look to get back on track and win the series over the Legends in the Sunday afternoon finale. Lefty Nick Vespi makes his first start for Delmarva after a stellar 2018 out of the bullpen; Lexington turns to righty Jonathan Bowlan. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m., and pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App beginning at 1:50 with Will DeBoer on the call.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from April 6, 2019


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