'Hawks Lose Close Game at Home
June 11, 2010 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
Augusta, NJ - The Sussex Skyhawks (6-7) still lead the season series against the New Jersey Jackals (8-7), but they lost 1-0 to their in-state rivals on Friday night at CenturyLink Field at SkylandsPark. The Skyhawks were shutout for the first time all year by three New Jersey pitchers. LHP Ryan Lobban started the game for the visitors and pitched seven scoreless innings while allowing four hits and three walks. LHP Isaac Pavlik pitched a perfect eighth and closer RHP Romas Hicks worked around a single and a walk to preserve the lead in the ninth and earn his league-leading seventh save of the season.
Jared Locke took the loss for the home team after allowing an eighth-inning solo homerun to New Jersey LF Jacob Butler. He relieved Sussex starter RHP Dan Berlind in the seventh after Berlind threw six scoreless innings while striking out four. RHP Kevin Gunter came on for the top of the ninth and pitched a perfect inning.
The sixth inning was a wild one in Augusta, N.J. In the top half, New Jersey DH Shawn Riggans was hit by a pitch in the head with two strikes. He went down for a moment only to jump to his feet and walk toward Berlind on the pitcher's mound. Riggans had to be restrained by Sussex C Ryan Boelsen, his teammates, umpires, and eventually his manager, Joe Calfapietra. Both benches and bullpens cleared, but no punches were thrown. Riggans remained in the game at the time but was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the eighth when his spot in the order was due up again.
Later in the top half of the sixth, New Jersey 3B Abraham Nunez was tagged out at the plate for the third out on a one-hop throw from LF Kraig Binick to Boelsen after a single by New Jersey C Jordan Newton. The Jackals returned the favor in the bottom half when 2B Argenis Reyes completed a relay to the plate to get Sussex DH Caleb Stewart trying to score the go-ahead run on a double to right field by Sussex 1B Kris Sanchez.
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth, the Skyhawks had their chance to extend the game. 2B Joe Persichina came to the plate with one out and runners on the corners but bounced into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.
The Skyhawks will try to even the series tomorrow when Sussex LHP Jeff Icenogle opposes New Jersey RHP Chris Allen. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
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Canadian American League Stories from June 11, 2010
- Late Longball, Lobban Lift Jackals To 1-0 Win - New Jersey Jackals
- Worcester Takes Series Opener over Colonials 4-1 - Pittsfield Colonials
- 'Hawks Lose Close Game at Home - Sussex Skyhawks
- Sausville Stymies Rox Bats In 6-2 Caps Win - Brockton Rox
- Sussex Tripped Up By Eighth-inning Homerun - Sussex Skyhawks
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