Colts batter Aces bullpen to take series
Published on July 1, 2008 under United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release
SAN ANGELO, Texas - The biggest game of the season for the San Angelo Colts takes place on Wednesday, but they will not be part of it. But the Colts did the most they could do to hurt the Alexandria Aces' chances against Amarillo in a key makeup game, burning through five Alexandria pitchers to take the game 10-9.
In front of the second largest crowd of the season at Foster Field (3,905) on hand for Chamber of Commerce Night and the postgame Diamond Dig sponsored by Legends Jewelers, the Colts (28-20) came back from an early 4-0 deficit to give Brian Henschel (5-2) a win in his fifth straight start.
Henschel started a bit rocky, giving up a pair of runs in each of the second and third innings, including back-to-back home runs by Bryan Sabatella and Rafael Ozuna in the third. But the Colts bounced back for one in the fourth, and after the Aces (27-21) got it back in the fifth, San Angelo knocked out spot starter Ronald Ramirez and closed to within one in the bottom half of the inning on Wyn Diggs' two-run double. Henschel ended up going eight innings, allowing six runs and striking out seven.
Then in the sixth, the Colts took the lead for good against reliever (and normally outfielder) Brad Turney (0-1). With one out and two on, Andres Rodriguez destroyed a pitch to left center for his eighth homer of the season, giving the Colts a 7-5 lead. After Turney was replaced one out later by B.J. Litchfield, the Colts pounced for more. Jason Crosland doubled and was brought home on a single by Bryan Frichter, who in turn was brought home on Diggs' second home run off the scoreboard in right center in as many nights, a two-run shot that came on the 14th pitch of his at-bat.
The Colts then were able to bring in the Aces' top two relievers, Juan Carlos Ovalles and closer Wayne Hedden, keeping them from getting a day off before the showdown with Amarillo. If the Dillas win, the Colts will clinch a first-half playoff spot, and if the Aces prevail, Alexandria will be in.
The Aces threatened a comeback in the ninth, scoring three runs off Alex Merricks and Miliade Venas before Mitch Lively picked up his first save as a Colt, stranding the tying and go-ahead runners on.s
Notes: Diggs now has an 18-game on base streak...The Colts finished their stretch of 36 games in a row, which began on May 27. The Colts went 22-14 over that stretch, which began when they were
6-6...Eight of the nine Colts hitters had hits in the game...San Angelo finished its homestand against the other two teams in the top half of the ULB standings at 4-2.
The Colts have an off day on Wednesday before heading out to Edinburg and Harlingen for three game series beginning Thursday. They return home to Foster Field for a three-game series against Laredo, beginning Wednesday July 9. Fans coming that night can receive a haircut from Sportclips in return for a small donation to charity. Game time is 7:05/ Advertising, ticket, and group information are available by calling the box office at (325) 942-6587. All Colts games are broadcast live on "Cool 100" - KCLL 100.1 FM and online at the Colts' official website, www.sanangelocolts.com, which is updated daily with the latest team news.
United League Baseball Stories from July 1, 2008
- Colts batter Aces bullpen to take series - San Angelo Colts
- Aces can't complete comeback - Alexandria Aces
- 'Wings lose in slugfest - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Coyotes fall in five - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Rain shortned win for Broncos - Laredo Broncos
- Dillas, Aces to Finish First Half on July 2 - Amarillo Dillas
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