SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Grasshoppers No Match for Power

August 1, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


The West Virginia Power defeated the Greensboro Grasshoppers 10-6 in the first game of a four game series Monday evening at Appalachian Power Park. The Power scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to ignite their offense.

The Grasshoppers shot ahead 3-0 early with a quick start against Power starter Jameson Taillon. Greensboro picked up three runs in the first inning with a three run home run by Mark Canha.

The Power were able to pick up one run in the bottom half of the first inning. After Andy Vasquez reached with a walk and then stole second, Lyles drove in Vasquez to score with an infield single cutting the 'Hopper lead to 3-1.

Taillon threw two innings for the Power and didn't factor into the decision. Taillon gave up three runs on four hits while striking out four batters.

Rogelio Noris singled in the fourth inning and then scored on a Justin Bencsko double cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Noah Perio led off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to move Greensboro's lead to 4-2.

West Virginia would come from behind and take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Power loaded the bases with three consecutive singles from Kevin Mort, Dan Grovatt, and Justin Howard. Mort scored on an infield single by Chase Lyles that kept the bases loaded. Rogelio Noris followed with a three run triple lined into right centerfield. Noris would score on a Justin Bencsko double, and Bencsko came across on a double by Eric Avila. The Power scored a total of six runs in the inning and took an 8-4 lead.

Each team would add a single run in the sixth frame. Joe Bonnadonna bunted in Jacob Realmuto for the Grasshoppers and the Power responded with a run scoring single off the bat of Chase Lyles to lead to a 9-5 score.

Justin Howard drove a solo home run over the right field wall in the bottom of eighth to add insurance to the Power lead.

The Grasshoppers added a sixth run in the top of the ninth, but it wouldn't be enough as the Power picked up a 10-6 victory.

Justin (3-1) picked up the victory for West Virginia pitching four innings of relief. Ennis allowed two runs on four hits, but was the pitcher of record when the Power took the lead with six runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Brooks Pounders collected his third save of the season with three innings of relief to close the game. Pounders gave up one run on three hits and struck out two 'Hopper batters.

The Power and the Grasshoppers will play game two of their four game series Tuesday evening with a 7:05 p.m.first pitch. Southpaw Porforio Lopez (1-3) will start for West Virginia against right hander Greg Nappo (2-0) starting for Greensboro. Tuesday night Kraft Singles Two-for-Tuesday - bring your Kraft Singles wrapper and receive two-for-one entry to the game.

SECOND HALF RECORD: 14-22

OVERALL POWERRECORD: 49-55

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 1, 2011


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