Bishop, Johnson Power Owls to Victory Over Gastonia, 7-2
June 9, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
FOREST CITY, N.C. - The Forest City Owls experienced a power surge Thursday night, beating the Gastonia Grizzlies, 7-2 at McNair Field. It's the Owls' second win over the Grizzlies in as many nights, and their fifth win in the last six games. Forest City owns a 3-1 advantage in the season series against Gastonia. The Owls improve to 6-4, while the Grizzlies drop to 3-7.
Nebraska's Ryan Hander toed the rubber for the Owls, earning his victory of the season. He tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out six batters and walking two. Nicholas Woodward's first start for Gastonia left something to be desired. The Hawaii Pacific righty threw 3 1/3 innings, surrendering four runs on five hits, striking out three batters and walking three. Woodward took his first loss of the season.
The Grizzlies began the scoring in the top of the first. 1B Tyler White singled to right field, bringing home CF Benji Jackson. The Grizzlies possessed a 1-0 lead until a fateful fourth inning.
Forest City unloaded in the bottom of the fourth. The fireworks began when RF Axel Johnson led off the frame with a solo home run to right field, his second of the season. Later in the inning and with the bases loaded, CF Michael Bishop poked a single into right field, scoring DH Greg Harrison. The bases remained loaded, and 2B Hector Crespo's walk pushed 3B Jordan Betts across the board. In the very next at-bat, LF Konstantine Diamaduros lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing C Dan Burant to score. The Owls' four-run fourth gave them a 4-1 lead.
The Grizzlies and Owls traded runs in the sixth inning. LF Grant Gajdosz's single plated White, cutting the Owls' lead in half. The Owls got that run back in the bottom of the inning, when Crespo ripped a double to center field, scoring Bishop. Forest City pulled ahead 5-2 after six.
Forest City owned the scoring the rest of the way. The Owls boosted their lead to four when Harrison's double scored SS Reed Harper, who made his anticipated return to the club today after spending last summer in Forest City. In the eighth inning, Bishop's fantastic form continued. He torpedoed a solo home run over the left field wall, his first of the season. Tonight was Forest City's first multi-homer game of the season.
Brennan Huelse and Adam Izokovic combined to close the door on the Grizzlies, not allowing a run in two innings of action.
Bishop went 3-for-4, blasting a home run, scoring two runs and totaling two RBIs. Harper and Harrison each went 2-for-4, scoring a run apiece. Harrison also finished with an RBI. Crespo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. White went 1-for-2, driving in a run and scoring a run for the Grizzlies.
The Owls return to the diamond tomorrow night, traveling to Finch Field to take on the Thomasville Hi-Toms. First pitch is set for 7 PM.
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