Flyers drop home opener, 3-2
Published on May 24, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
SCHAUMBURG, IL- In the battle of the Southpaws, Joe Sergent pitched a 7.1 inning gem and outlasted a strong performance by Rick DeHart to capture the win in a 3-2 final in Schaumburg's home opener at Alexian Field.
Sergent baffled the Flyers offense and did not allow a run until the sixth inning. He left the game having faced 28 batters and yielded only two earned runs. Schaumburg's one, two and three batters went hitless in the affair.
The Player of the Game honors for the Flyers went to Eric Cole, who totaled three hits and two RBI. His two-RBI double in the bottom of the sixth knotted the score up at 2-2.
The series opener will go down as a heated pitching duel between Sergent and DeHart. Each pitcher was able to retire opposing hitters in order during the first two innings. DeHart opened the game by fanning two in the first. All night he had an effective breaking ball which kept Redhawks batters off balance. He left the game after six innings of work and posted eight strikeouts.
Fargo-Moorhead struck first in the top of the third, when Joe Mathis batted in Brian Ward from second, making the score 1-0. The RedHawks were able to tack on another run in the fifth when, with a runner on third, Brent Krause was caught trying to steal second. The ensuing throw from Nelson Gord to second allowed Richard Austin enough time to sneak home for the run.
The Flyers were finally able to generate some offense in the sixth after some control issues by Sergent. The Fargo lefty issued consecutive free passes to McCallum and Romprey, putting potential runners aboard. With two outs Cole drove a double into left-center field, scoring both baserunners and tying the score at two apiece.
Control problems became the difference-maker in the top half of the eighth. This time, hiccups in the Flyers pitching and defense proved too costly to rebound from. The innings leadoff hitter, Joe Mathis squeezed a bunt single down the third base line and advanced to second on a throwing error by reliever Blake Williams. Mathis was then advanced to third on a bunt by Bryon Jeffcoat. Then, with two outs, Jason Cierlik threw a wild pitch that allowed Mathis to easily score from third.
Despite a leadoff single from Cole in the bottom of the ninth, the Flyers were unable to capitalize, and the game ended with the 3-2 final.
Notes: With this loss, the Flyers are now 4-3 all-time in home openers at Alexian Field...
Northern League Stories from May 24, 2005
- Flyers drop home opener, 3-2 - Schaumburg Flyers
- Saints edge Calgary, 7-6 - St. Paul Saints
- JackHammers double up T-Bones - Joliet JackHammers
- Saltdogs Lose to Winnipeg - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Canaries Drop Second to Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Cracker-Cats Even Series at Gary with 2-1 Win - Edmonton Capitals
- RailCats Drop Pitcher's Duel to Edmonton, 2-1 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- 2005 Northern League preview - NL
- RailCats Add Former New York Yankees Prospect - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Saltdogs Win Home Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Flyers grounded in final game of series - Schaumburg Flyers
- Three-run homer spoils great pitching performance - Joliet JackHammers
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.
