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Foxhounds Outlast Joes 15-9 In Back And Forth Finale

July 28, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Aiken Foxhounds News Release


AIKEN, S.C. - In a wild back and forth series finale Saturday night at Roberto Hernandez Stadium, the Aiken Foxhounds (30-32, 8-9) belted four home runs, including two by Scott Houin, and defeated the visiting Anderson Joes (20-42, 7-10) 15-9. With the victory, the Hounds now hold a 9-6 advantage and have clinched at least a share of the Palmetto State Series.

As the two starting pitchers cruised through the first three innings, the game looked to be a fast-moving pitchers' duel. The hitters, and fielders for that matter, had other plans.

Aiken's David Martinez, making his first start of the season, ran into trouble in the top of the fourth, much of it thanks to the defense behind him. The Joes had four hits in the frame, including a two-run single by Richard Quihuis-Bell, but three Foxhounds errors contributed to four unearned runs as the visitors took a 5-0 lead.

The Foxhounds offense responded in a big way in the bottom of the fourth, finally getting to Anderson starter Daniel Howard, who had held the Hounds without a hit through three. Two walked sandwiched around a Kelly Hunt single loaded the bases with no outs. After a Tim Sweeney two-RBI single and an RBI single from Dustin Richardson made it 5-3, Houin greeted Joes reliever Pete Nickerson with a deep home run to center field, giving Aiken a 6-5 lead.

The fifth inning was not as explosive as no runs were scored, but there were some fireworks. Desi Wilson led off with a double to right field, but as he tried to tag up and advance to third on Kevin Noles fly ball to right, he was gunned out by Josh Eachues. Joes manager Kash Beauchamp, who was coaching third, did not agree with the call and was ejected after arguing vehemently.

Anderson reclaimed the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth, scoring on a Hector Borg RBI double and an error by Aiken reliever Kevin Holt.

The lead would not last long as the Foxhounds offense exploded again in the seventh. After Aiken loaded the bases with one out against Anderson's Blake Gaiden, Kelly Hunt stepped in against Austin Redwine and ripped a base-hit off Redwine's leg for a two-run single and an 8-7 lead.

Garth McKinney then stepped in as a pinch-hitter and ripped the first pitch he saw to deep left-center field for an 11-7 advantage. It was McKinney's 11th home run of the season.

After Anderson scored two runs in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to 11-9, the Hounds provided four more insurance runs in the bottom of the inning. First, Houin drilled a towering two-run shot to left field for his eighth homer of the season. After Eachues reached on an infield single, Bradley Key hit the team's fourth home run of the night for the final margin.

Aiken reliever Gary Lee (3-2), who worked 1.1 innings without allowing a hit, earned the win for the Foxhounds. Gailen (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Anderson.

Houin finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and five RBI. Along with his home run, Key also walked twice and scored three runs, and Kelly Hunt had two hits and two RBI.

Aiken will take Sunday off before returning to action Monday night at Hernandez Stadium. First pitch of game one of their three-game series against the Macon Music is set for 7:05 PM.



South Coast League Stories from July 28, 2007


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