SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Catfish Take Game One

Published on September 10, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Charleston, WV (September 10, 2007) - Heath Rollins won his second game of the 2007 post season on Monday night as he shut down the West Virginia Power offense, holding them to just a pair of runs over six innings at Appalachian Power Park as the Columbus Catfish defeated the Power 5-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the South Atlantic League Championship Series.

The Power scored first in the bottom of the first inning. Chuckie Caufield began the inning with a walk, moved over to second base on Kenny Holmberg's base hit, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Matt LaPorta's groundout. John Matulia put the Catfish ahead with a clutch, two-out double in the third inning that scored both Matt Fields and Quinn Stewart. Fields doubled with two-outs to score Nevin Ashley in the fourth inning before Maiko Loyola's sacrifice fly plated Stewart in the fifth.

West Virginia had their best chance to attack Rollins in the fifth inning when they had the bases loaded and nobody out. They were only able to squeeze one run out of that threat as Caufield grounded into a double play, scoring Andy Bouchie in the process. Cesar Suarez hit a solo homer in the top of the sixth inning to plate the final run of the game.

Rollins (2-0) who won 17 games during the regular season, won his ninth straight game, and hasn't lost since July 20th. Neil Frontz (1) struck out the side in the ninth inning to get the save and Alex Periard (1-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up five runs on six hits over six innings, but matched a season high with five strikeouts.

The bottom of the order was huge for the Catfish. Their 7-8-9 batters, Fields, Stewart, and Jairo Delarosa combined to go 6-for-12 and scored three of Columbus's five runs. Stewart went 3-for-4 with a triple and two singles. Holmberg was the only Power player with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a double and a single.

The Power will continue the best of five South Atlantic League Championship Series against the Columbus Catfish on Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park. Right hander Shawn Ferguson (5-1, 3.08) will start for the Power and Columbus will counter with right hander Will Kline (0-4, 4.97). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from September 10, 2007


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