SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Demmin Dominates, But Claws Fall Again 3-1

August 9, 2013 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Lakewood BlueClaws (19-29/45-70) picked up outstanding starting pitching from the newest arm on the staff, but lacked in run support and fell 3-1 to the West Virginia Power (31-16/68-49) Friday night at FirstEnergy Park. The loss marked the second in a row and dropped the season series to 3-19 against the Power for the BlueClaws.

The BlueClaws signed Ryan Demmin out of the Frontier League on Thursday, and on Friday he found himself starting for the BlueClaws against the Power. The former Normal Cornbelter stumbled a touch out of the gate, but you can never judge a book by its cover.

Chris Diaz began the game with a groundball to second that Alejandro Villalobos booted and turned into an E4. Dilson Herrera followed with a single to put two on with nobody out against Demmin. He regrouped and retired the next two hitters, but Eric Wood was next and plated two with an RBI single to center and gave the Power the early lead.

The Claws responded for a run against West Virginia's Jason Creasy in the bottom half of the frame. Brian Pointer worked a leadoff walk and with one out moved to third on a single by Willie Carmona. Art Charles followed with an RBI single to left that cut it to 2-1.

From that point forward it was all about the arms. Creasy (4-3) weaved his way through the next four innings in scoreless fashion and held the BlueClaws to just two hits. The best opportunity for Lakewood came in the fifth against the righty, as they loaded the bases with two down, but could not score.

Ryan Hafner took over for the starter and pitched scoreless sixth, before the Claws loaded the bases with one out in the seventh. Hafner induced a pop out to the shortstop off the bat of Willie Carmona and struck out Art Charles to end the threat in the inning.

Lakewood rode the left arm of the starter Demmin (0-1) for eight strong innings. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin native seemed to put it in cruise control over his outing and allowed just one runner into scoring position the rest of the night.

The southpaw finished the eight innings and allowed just the two unearned runs to cross the plate in the first. He gave up four hits, did not walk anyone and struck out nine.

Lee Ridenhour was first out of the pen and was touched up for an unearned run of his own in the ninth. First he hit Josh Bell with a 1-2 fastball and then threw the ball away at first when trying to erase Jordan Steranka on a sacrifice bunt. The errant throw landed in the bullpen and Bell came all the way around to score from first to make it 3-1.

Jhondaniel Medina came on for the second night in a row and pitched the ninth. Pointer and Larry Greene Jr. both went down via the strikeout, but Carmona singled to center to keep the hopes alive. Charles followed and struck out swinging to end the game.

Deborah Heart and Lung Center Player of the Game: Ryan Demmin (LWD): 8IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 9K

The BlueClaws and Power will continue with game three of their four-game series Saturday night at 7:05 pm from FirstEnergy Park. RHP Jon Prosinski (1-0, 3.50) will get the nod, with an extra day of rest under his belt for the BlueClaws. The Power will counter with RHP Clayton Holmes (4-5, 4.27).

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from August 9, 2013


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