SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Harper's Walk-Off Home Run Propels Suns Over Drive, 9-8, in 10 Innings

Published on June 3, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- A see-saw battle at Municipal Stadium on Thursday night would sway towards the Hagerstown Suns (33-21) after a Bryce Harper two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning punctuated the third walk-off victory of the season over the Greenville Drive (26-28).

Suns RHP Taylor Jordan, who would not factor into the decision, went 6.0 innings, allowing three unearned runs on six hits without walking a batter and striking out five.

Greenville RHP Keith Couch, who was on the hook for the loss throughout the game, would also not receive a decision, after allowing six earned runs on ten hits in 5.0 innings.

The Suns scored first on an RBI single by C Cole Leonida through the SS Heiker Meneses in the 2nd inning.

Greenville tallied three runs in the 4th frame on a sacrifice fly by Henry Ramos, an error by RF Kevin Keyes, and a David Renfroe RBI infield single towards third base.

Hagerstown answered with three runs in their half of the 4th inning with back-to-back RBI doubles by Leonida and Keyes, as well as an RBI single by 3B Blake Kelso to right field.

The Suns tacked on two more runs in the 5th frame on a two-RBI single by Keyes blooped to shallow right field.

The Drive drove in a pair of runs in the 8th stanza with a two-run home run over the right field barrier, an opposite field long ball off the bat of C Christian Vazquez.

Up to 6-5, the Suns pushed across a run of insurance off a wild pitch from RHP Tyler Lockwood (3-3), the eventual losing pitcher, with the bases loaded after singles from 2B Adrian Sanchez, Harper, and DH David Freitas.

Suns RHP Neil Holland blew the save in the 9th inning when with two outs, two unearned runs scored on an errant throw from SS Jason Martinson on an infield single by CF Felix Sanchez.

Hagerstown LHP Paul Applebee (5-1), the winning pitcher, allowed an earned run in the 10th inning when Ramos lined an RBI single to center field.

Then, in the bottom of the 10 frame, after a Sanchez double up the left field line, Harper sent the first pitch he saw from Lockwood over the center field wall for a walk-off two-run titanic blast to win the contest for the Suns. The long four bagger was Harper's 13th dinger of the season.

The Suns have now won three games in walk-off fashion, all at Municipal Stadium. Hagerstown is 3-1 in extra inning games in 2011.

The Suns and Drive will do battle in game three on Friday night at 7:05pm. The Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-Game Show begins at 6:50pm on the Radio Home of the Suns, WJEJ AM 1240. Starting pitchers are to be announced.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2011


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.

OurSports Central