SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Corona's walkoff homer washes away Sand Gnats, 4-3

Published on July 9, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston's Reegie Corona belted the first pitch he saw from

Savannah reliever Brett Reid for a ninth-inning walkoff home run as the RiverDogs washed away the Sand Gnats, 4-3, in South Atlantic League action Sunday afternoon at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs' defense did its part by turning a season-high six double-plays, including one in each of the final five innings of the contest.

With the victory, the RiverDogs have won four straight games and improve to 10-8 in the second half and 48-40 overall while Savannah falls to 9-9 in the second half and 36-51 on the season.

With the score knotted at 3 apiece, Corona stepped to the plate mired in one of the worst slumps he's had all season at just 1 for his last 18. The S.A.L.'s leading hitter smacked the first pitch from Reid (0-2) over the right field fence to end the game.

The blast was Corona's third homer of the season and his career, all of which have come against Savannah at Riley Park in 2006.

Charleston lit the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Ben Jones belted his team-leading 14th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field fence against Savannah starter John Lannan.

Jones solidified his place as the second-leading home run hitter in Charleston professional baseball history during the modern era, as the bomb was his 28th round tripper as a RiverDog over two seasons.

Eduardo Nunez was responsible for the third run of the frame when he singled home Marcos Vechionacci with a RBI single.

Savannah retaliated with single runs in the second and third innings against Charleston starter Zach Kroenke. The first came on a run-scoring sacrifice fly by John Poppert that ultimately resulted in a double-play, as baserunner Dee Brown left second base early but Brian Peacock was still allowed to cross home plate.

The Sand Gnats' second run came after Jose Contreras tripled and scored when Francisco Plasencia grounded out to second.

Savannah tied the game at 3 each in the fifth when Edgardo Baez singled home a run with the bases loaded against Kroenke.

Charleston reliever Cory Stuart (5-1) picked up the victory as he pitched one inning and allowed one hit. He relieved Daniel McCutchen, who pitched three innings in his home debut and allowed two hits, walked two and struck out a pair.

Kroenke lasted five complete innings, surrendering five hits and all three runs while walking two and striking out a pair.

Lannan also lasted five complete innings and scattered three hits while striking out five and walking six.

Charleston's Eduardo Nunez paced the RiverDogs' with two hits while Brown had three for Savannah.

The finale and potential sweep of this three-game series is set for a rare Monday afternoon 12:05 p.m. start as part of the club's annual Big Splash Day promotion.

Charleston manager Bill Mosiello will send righty Eric Wordekemper (2-2, 1.69 ERA) to the mound for his first start of the season while Savannah goes with 6-9 righty Bryan Lambert, Jr. (0-4, 6.16 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 9, 2006


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