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Fryer, Aviators Slam Pelicans 10-5

June 13, 2007 - American Association (AA)
Coastal Bend Aviators News Release


Wednesday night at Fairgrounds Field, the Aviators faithful got a look at a rare sight. Facing Pensacola reliever Logan Williamson in the bottom of the eighth inning, Bryan Fryer came to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a line drive toward the gap in right center. Pelicans centerfielder Nathan Warrick raced to his left and dove for the ball but came up empty. JD Reininger backed up the play and threw the ball toward the infield by which time the bases had cleared and Fryer was heading to third. Aviators manager John Harris waved Fryer around the bag and after a head first slide to the plate jarred the ball from catcher Michael DeCarlo's mitt, Fryer and the Aviators had an inside the park grand slam.

The inside the park homer was Fryer's second homerun of the year. His first, of the standard variety, came last Wednesday in an 8-5 victory at St. Joe. It was his lone hit of the night but it extended Coastal Bend's 6-5 lead to 10-5 and finished off an exciting comeback victory. It also stretched his 12 game hitting streak to 13.

With J.R. Pickens making just his second start of the season, the Aviators fell behind early, 4-0. But they scored 4 times in the bottom of the fourth off Pelicans starter Colin Young to tie the game. James Lofton led off with a double down the third base line and scored on Bryon Smith's single to left. After Smith advanced on an out, Juan Figueroa put an RBI single into center field to cut the lead in half. Catcher Steve Ketter added a double to left field to put runners at second and third for the Aviators second baseman Will Lewis. Lewis, in his first game back since an injury forced his release earlier this season, singled through the right side to score Figueroa and Ketter, evening the game at 4

With 2 out and 2 on and the game still tied in the sixth, Lewis was again at the plate and smoked a double to left field over the head of Pensacola's Chris Reynolds. Lewis would finish the night 3 for 4 with 4 RBI and a run scored. Grant Richardson had a hit and RBI to extend his home hitting streak to 14. Figueroa finished the game 2 for 4 with a RBI and a run scored.

As his teammates were scoring six runs in the middle innings, Pickens settled down and allowed just 1 hit during the middle frames. He got the win and improves to 2-0. With the loss, Colin Young falls to 1-4. Matt Wilkinson, Jonathan Hunton, and Miguel Martinez pitched 3 innings in relief of Pickens, allowing just 1 earned run combined.

The Aviators record now stands at 14-17. They go for a three game sweep of the Pelicans tomorrow night when they send southpaw Derrick Van Dusen (4-2, 4.23 ERA) to the mound against lefty Matt Creighton (0-4, 6.85 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05pm and can be heard locally on KOPY 1070 AM or online at aviatorsbaseball.com.

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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.

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