Gainey, Maness Pace Camden Win

by David W. Unkle
Published on July 22, 2002 under Atlantic League (AtL)

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY --- Despite being tied for last in team batting average (.245), the Camden Riversharks know how to make the most of their meager offense. A big five-hit, four-run second inning was all that they needed as the Riversharks (8-3) topped the winless Nashua Pride 5-3 for their fifth victory in six days.

While Nashua is still looking for its first win of the second half (0-11), the Riversharks have sprinted out of the gate and enjoy a half-game lead over the Somerset Patriots. The outcome of the Somerset-Bridgeport game was not available at press time. Since the beginning of June, Somerset (31-16) and Camden (30-19) have the two best records in the league.

"We hung in there until the last day of the first half," said Riversharks Manager Wayne Krenchicki. "They pushed themselves to the limit and by doing that realized exactly what their capabilities are and now they expect to go out there and play like one of the best teams in the league."

Winning pitcher Del Matthews (6-4) had a rough start, surrendering a first pitch single to Miguel Correa to lead off the game. If not for a passed ball on Juan Rodriguez' third strike with one out, Matthews would have had an easier time. Glenn Murray's sacrifice gave Nashua an early 1-0 lead. Matthews went to 3-2 on the next three batters, surrendering a single to Pork Chop Pough and walk to Cole Liniak which loaded the bases. Matthews got out of the inning on a called third strike to Francisco Lebron.

The Riversharks got on the board following an infield single by Dwight Maness and an Alex Delgado walk. Bryon Gainey's shot off the left field foul pole put the 'Sharks up 3-1. Camden quickly loaded the bases on singles by Lipso Nava, Jesus Azuaje, and Gary Collum. A Maleke Fowler sacrifice fly to center scored Nava, but the Riversharks were unable to inflict more damage, stranding runners at first and second.

Maness led off the home third with a walk and two stolen bases, his second and third of the night. Gainey's sacrifice fly to center, his fourth RBI of the game, put Camden up 5-2.

I was glad to be in the lineup tonight, said Gainey" "I've been seeing a lot of lefties and have been chasing some bad pitches. Tonight though I battled him (losing pitcher Al Drumheller) and good things happened."

Nashua never threatened until the fifth when a leadoff walk and a Jesus Azuaje error closed the gap to 5-3. With two men aboard and one out, Matthews got Liniak out on a grounder to short and Lebron on a foul pop to Delgado. The Riversharks defense recorded two critical double plays late in the game to thwart a pair of Nashua rallies, with Jimmy Williams getting his league-leading nineteenth save of the season.

"We like to feel that we can beat anybody," said Maness. "We play good defense and we pitch well. As long as we hit and put up some runs, we should be in every ballgame and in it well enough to win it. So we feel every night we can come out and win."

The Riversharks take on the Nashua Pride again Tuesday night followed by back-to-back three game series with the Pennsylvania Road Warriors and the Somerset Patriots.

Atlantic League Stories from July 22, 2002

• Gainey, Maness Pace Camden Win - OSC Original by David W. Unkle
• Ducks defeat Surf in longest 9-inning game of the season - Long Island Ducks
• Bluefish Lose to Patriots, 4-2 - Bridgeport Bluefish

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