Ferrante delivers late
Published on June 24, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
SCHAUMBURG, IL - A Victor Ferrante double with two outs in the eighth drove in two and gave the Flyers their first lead since Saturday evening, and Craig James wiggled his way out of the ninth to give the Flyers a 3-2 win over the Joliet JackHammers on a dangerously hot Wednesday afternoon at Alexian Field.
Joliet got on the board in the first inning when Kevin Rios scored on a Freddie Thon groundout after tripling. But Flyers starter Alain Quijano was excellent again, not allowing another hit until the seventh inning, when he was pulled in favor of Jim Popp.
The Flyers did nothing against Joliet starter Rory Shortell until the fifth, when T.J. Wilson reached on one of his two bunt singles on the day. Wilson then stole second and scored on Richard Mercado's single to right. The RBI single tied the game at one and ended a 0-27 with runners-in-scoring position to start the season for Mercado.
Travis Ezi led off the decisive eighth inning with a walk. JackHammers reliever Ryan Paul retired the next two Flyers before manager Wally Backman decided to intentionally walk Felix Jose. That brought up Ferrante who crushed a double to right center field scoring Ezi and Stephen Yoo, who pinch-ran for Jose.
Yoo's run turned out to be a big one. Leading 3-1 in the ninth, Flyers closer Craig James walked Freddie Thon and Isaac Omura, then Wally Backman Jr. knocked a pinch-hit single to load the bases with one out. Andrew Pinckney grounded out to first to score Thon from third, bringing up another pinch-hitter in Phil Avlas with two outs. Avlas drilled a fly ball to the track in left-center, but Ezi ran it down and made the grab to end the game.
Both starting pitchers recorded quality starts, a feat made even more impressive by the above-100 degree heat index. Quijano allowed only three hits in six innings of work, but took a no-decision. Shortell pitched seven innings, giving up one run for Joliet. Popp (1-1) got the win allowing one hit over two innings of relief work, while Paul (1-3) took the loss.
Schaumburg and Joliet will meet for the proverbial rubber match on Thursday night at 7:05 with Flyers RHP Ed Almonte (3-2, 3.20) opposing JackHammers LHP Ryan Gehring (1-2, 3.93).
Tickets are still available for tomorrow's Thirsty Thursday and Police Appreciation Night.
Northern League Stories from June 24, 2009
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- Simon's Ninth Inning Homer Gives Fargo Stunning 6-5 Win Over RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RedHawks Win 7-6 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Mother Nature Puts T-Bones and Goldeyes on Hold, Again - Kansas City Monarchs
- JackHammers to Host Girl Scout Sleep Over - Joliet JackHammers
- Ferrante delivers late - Schaumburg Flyers
- JackHammers Fall to Flyers - Joliet JackHammers
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