Dunbar Hits Walk-Off Single

July 30, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release


SCHAUMBURG, IL-Jeff Dunbar hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to score Victor Ferrante as the Schaumburg Flyers won an exciting game at Alexian Field over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3-2 in front of 5,596 fans.

Alain Quijano got the start for Schaumburg and threw five shutout innings to start the game. Fargo threatened in the top of the second, loading the bases against Quijano with nobody out. The crafty lefty induced a pop fly to Justin Justice and then a groundball by Mike Coles to Tony Mansolino, who touched third and threw to first to end the threat.

The Flyers took the early lead in the bottom of the third. Craig Maddox hit a double, his first extra-base hit in 16 games. Travis Brown then hit what appeared to be a single to center, but it scooted past center fielder Nic Jackson and rolled to the wall, allowing Brown to come around to score on the single with a three-base error, giving the Flyers a 2-0 lead.

Randall Simon cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth, hitting a solo home run to right field off Quijano. RedHawks catcher Alan Rick then tied the game in the top of the seventh off Quijano with a solo home run of his own to deep right field.

With the score 2-2 in the top of the ninth, the RedHawks loaded the bases when Mike Coles doubled, Zach Penprase hit an infield single, and, after a stolen base by Penprase, Kris Jiggitts intentionally walked Jackson. Cleanup hitter Jeremiah Piepkorn hit a deep fly ball to left center, but Lyndon Poole reeled it in to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, it seemed as though the game was going to go extras. With two outs, lefty reliever Jeremy Hauer struck out Ferrante, but the ball got past Rick. Rick's throw to first went over the head of Ruben Salazar, allowing Ferrante to advance to second. Elvys Quezada came in for Fargo and walked Richard Mercado. Then, Dunbar ripped a 3-1 fastball to left field to score Ferrante to win the game.

Jiggits got the victory by recording one out in the ninth and is now 1-1 on the season. Hauer took the loss. The Flyers' win gives them a split of this four-game series, improving their record to 30-36, while the RedHawks fall to 35-29.

The 1st place Winnipeg Goldeyes come to town tomorrow for a three-game series. The first begins at 6:45 with RHP Ed Almonte (4-8, 5.36) taking the ball for the Flyers to face RHP Mark Michael (2-2, 4.50) of the Goldeyes. A full house is expected at Alexian Field as fireworks will follow the game.



Northern League Stories from July 30, 2009


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