SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Cats and BlueClaws split twin bill in the rain

Published on May 5, 2003 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


(LAKEWOOD, NJ.) – The Alley Cats and the Lakewood BlueClaws split a pair of one-run games Monday on a rainy night in Lakewood. Lakewood took game one 2-1, Charleston took the nightcap 3-2.

Lee Gwaltney (3-2) held Charleston hitless through the first five innings of game one. Raul Tablado led off the sixth inning with a solid single to left, and later scored on an error by Lakewood shortstop Omar Bramasco. It would be the only run of the game for the Alley Cats

Lakewood scored a run in the third off of Ismael Ramirez (2-1) on an RBI single by former Alley Cat Nick Tempesta. They made it a 2-0 lead on a leadoff homerun by Chad Oliva in the fourth inning. Ramirez worked six innings for the complete game, but took his first loss of the season after surrendering two runs on three hits.

In the top of the seventh inning, Charleston rallied with two outs. Pinch runner Jason Waugh, trying to score from second base on a single by Tablado was cut down at the plate for the final out of the game.

Charleston scored first in game two – a game that was played through a steady downpour. The Cats plated two runs in the second inning. Brad Hassey singled home Scott Dragicevich for the first run. Miguel Negron dropped down a bunt base hit that scored Jason Waugh from third to make it 2-0 Charleston.

Lakewood scored a run in the bottom of the second off of Cats starter Eric Stephenson. Stephenson went three innings, allowed two runs, one earned, and three hits in his first start of the season.

Charleston scored what turned out to be the winning run in the third. Dragicevich reached on an error and scored on a two-out single by David Corrente. Lakewood made it 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the third on a single by Chad Oliva to score former Alley Cat Casey Martinez.

The game ended on a bizarre play at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-runner Carlos Rodriguez attempted to tag from third on a pop up down the right field line, but was thrown out at the plate by Zeph Zinsman. Rodriguez fell down five feet short of home plate and Corrente tagged him out to end the game.

Ramon Mora (2-0) picked up the win in relief. Mark Comolli pitched the ninth and picked up his sixth save. The final game of the series is Tuesday at 10:05 am.

Check out the Charleston Dirty Birds Statistics

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



South Atlantic League Stories from May 5, 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