SAL1 Augusta GreenJackets

Duvall's Ninth Inning Slam Wins It for Augusta

Published on July 7, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Asheville, NC - Adam Duvall had been hitting everything hard for the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday night but he saved his best for last. Duvall drilled a two-out, two-strike offering over the fence in left-center with the bases full in the ninth inning to give the GreenJackets a 7-4 lead as Augusta held on to defeat the Asheville Tourists on Duvall's eventual game-winner.

Duvall went 4-5 with three doubles to go along with the grand slam after striking out three times in a loss to Charleston the night before. He becomes the third different GreenJacket to record a four-hit game this season. With Asheville closer Juan Perez on the mound, the GreenJackets loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks with two outs before Duvall drilled his 18th home run of the year. The blast moved him back into a tie with Asheville's Corey Dickerson for the league lead in the category after Dickerson had homered earlier in the game to claim sole possession of the lead.

Asheville took an early lead with solo home runs off Mike Kickham in the third and fourth innings. Brett Tanos took Kickham deep to right-center in the third while Dickerson cleared the fence in right to put the Tourists up 2-0 and give Dickerson what would be a short-lived league lead in the home run category.

The GreenJackets loaded the bases with no one out in the fifth, getting a run on a double play ball from Chris Lofton, but they left the tying run at third. Dickerson added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth for the Tourists with a two-run triple off the right-field wall to push Asheville's advantage to 4-1.

Kickham departed after six innings, allowing four runs on five hits and a season-high four walks. His eight strikeouts were one shy of a season-best.

The GreenJackets began their rally in the seventh off Tourists starter Joshua Slaats. Jeff Arnold doubled with two outs and scored on Chris Lofton's RBI single to cut Asheville's lead to two. An inning later, Duvall followed Raynor Campbell's inning-opening base hit with his third double of the game to put runners at second and third with no one out. Ryan Lollis grounded out to cut the Asheville lead to one, but Duvall was left stranded at third to end the inning.

In a no decision for the Tourists, Slaats allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five.

Brett Bochy (1-0) earned the win in relief, striking out one in a perfect eighth inning prior to Duvall's ninth inning heroics. Perez (4-4) took the loss, allowing the grand slam - one of two hits in the inning - and four walks. Stephen Harrold retired three of the four he faced in the ninth inning to earn his 14th save of the season.

The GreenJackets have won three of four to start the current road trip and will send Ryan Bradley (0-1, 6.29) to the mound in the second game against Asheville to face Alan DeRatt (0-0, 0.00). First pitch will come at 7:05 p.m. from Asheville with radio pregame coverage beginning at 6:50, airing on WRDW-AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Single-game tickets are currently available by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS while further information can be found online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Check out the Augusta GreenJackets Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from July 7, 2011


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