Frichter saves it, Rodriguez wins it, as Colts take series
Published on May 18, 2008 under United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - In the span of four pitches, heartbreak turned to elation for the San Angelo Colts. Just when it looked like Homy Ovalles' bloop would fall in for the winning hit, Bryan Frichter appeared to make a phenomenal game-saving catch. Running at full speed towards center, the right fielder dove in front of center fielder Tyrone Pendergrass and brought the ball in while he was parallel to the ground.
Then on the third pitch of the top of the 10th, Andres Rodriguez destroyed a hanger from Felipe Garcia deep to left to give the Colts the lead for the first time. Brian Daly closed it out for his first save, and San Angelo returns home with a .500 record after the dramatic 3-2 win, beating the defending United League champions two out of three.
Both starters, Luke Massetti for San Angelo (3-3) and Ryan Harris for Alexandria (3-3), pitched well. Massetti went seven innings, allowing just two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Harris threw six frames, allowing just one earned run while striking out eight.
The Aces got on the board first, taking advantage of a rare walk by Massetti to start the game against Blake Butler. With one out, Brian Sabatella tripled to right center, and was brought home on a Patrick O'Sullivan single. But after another hit, Massetti induced Luis Guance to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
San Angelo battled back to tie the game with single runs in the second and fourth. First, Wyn Diggs hit a two-out single to right in inning number two. Benny Craig held up at third, but a bobble by Madison Edwards allowed Craig to score. In the fourth, the Colts had three straight singles with two outs, as Tyrone Pendergrass brought home Diggs to tie it up.
After that the teams remained scoreless until Rodriguez's blast in the tenth. But it was not without drama. In the seventh, the Colts had two on and no one out after a double by Frichter and a walk to Jason Crosland. Garcia (1-1) came on to relieve Charlie Foster, and he immediately struck out Craig and Rodriguez. After a wild pitch and a hit batsman loaded the bases, Diggs took a 3-2 pitch just on the inside corner to end the inning.
Garcia went on to pitch four innings, striking out nine batters and only allowing one hit. But that one was the bomb served up to Rodriguez.
Alexandria had their best threat in the ninth, when Patrick O'Sullivan and Brian Sabatella singled against reliever Taylor Fleming (1-0). After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the bases with one out, Fleming got Edwards to ground to third for a force at home before the dramatic catch by Frichter against Ovalles.
The win is the second straight for the Colts and comes in their first extra-inning game of the season. It was Alexandria's third game to go past nine, and the Aces are now 1-2 in those contests.
The Colts now return to San Angelo for a six-game homestand against Laredo and Alexandria. It begins with the home opener at Foster Field on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m., and following the game fans will be treated to a Fireworks Show sponsored by Adobe Signs & T-shirts and KLST.
Advertising, ticket, and group information are available by calling the box office at (325) 942-6587. All Colts games are broadcast live on "Cool 100" - KCLL 100.1 FM and online at the Colts' official website, www.sanangelocolts.com, which is updated daily with the latest team news.
United League Baseball Stories from May 18, 2008
- Coyotes Survive Comeback - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Broncos win wild game to capture first series of 2008 - Laredo Broncos
- WhiteWings Power Surge Not Enough - ULB
- Frichter saves it, Rodriguez wins it, as Colts take series - San Angelo Colts
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