Dillas win close game 4-3; take 2-1 lead in championship
September 6, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Amarillo Dillas News Release
SAN ANGELO, TX - The Amarillo Dillas played on the edge all night long, but with stellar pitching by Coby Mavroulis and key San Angelo Colts mistakes gave the Dillas a 4-3 win over the Colts and a 2-1 lead in the United League Championship Series at Foster Field in front of 1,987 fans.
Dillas reliever Andy Noonan (1-0) got the win, retiring just one batter; the final batter of the seventh. Colts reliever Jameson Maj (0-1) got the loss, allowing the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning. Mavroulis got the save in an inning and two-thirds of scoreless pitching.
Amarillo took an early lead as Keanon Simon led off with a single, went to second on an error by shortstop Butch Ballez, went to third on a groundout and scored on another Ballez error for a 1-0 lead.
Terrance McClain extended the Dillas lead in the fourth inning as he hit his first homer of the postseason over the left field wall for a two-run advantage.
Dillas starter Ralph Roberts had a no-hitter through five innings, but gave up two hits to start the sixth. Ronnie Gaines and Hunter Jobes started off with singles, followed by a sacrifice bunt to move runners over. Brian Frichter grounded out to score Gaines, while Jobes scored on a fielding error to tie the game 2-2.
The Colts took the lead in the seventh as Gaines hit a two-out double and scored on a Jobes RBI single to give San Angelo a 3-2 lead.
Amarillo retook the lead in the eighth inning. Against Maj, Willie James led off with a walk, followed by a Simon single and a Stantrel Smith infield grounder that was played to second, which Simon was able to beat out to load the bases with no outs. Carlos Figueroa singled to right to score Smith to tie the game, but back-to-back strikeouts threatened the Dillas comeback. Trent Lockwood had a 0-2 count against him when Maj delivered a braking ball in the dirt, which got away from the catcher to score Simon for a 4-3 lead.
The Colts threatened in the eighth as Noonan walked and hit the first two batters. Mavroulis stepped in and got a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners with one out. After a long battle with Ballez, Mavroulis induced a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Mavroulis allowed a walk in the ninth, but finished off the game with the Dillas victorious 4-3.
With the win, the Dillas take a 2-1 series lead over the Colts. Monday, San Angelo hosts Amarillo as the Dillas attempt to win the United League Championship Series with game four at 7:05pm with Dillas Pre-Game set to begin at 6:50pm on AudioSportsOnline.net. Game time is tentative and is subject to blackout.
For more information on the Dillas, ticket information or on Sunday's game, contact the Dillas' office at (806) 342-0400 or visit MyAmarilloDillas.com.
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United League Baseball Stories from September 6, 2009
- Colts Facing Elimintation - San Angelo Colts
- Dillas win close game 4-3; take 2-1 lead in championship - Amarillo Dillas
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