Hebert's Three-Run Homer Propels M's to first win
June 21, 2012 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Pulaski Mariners News Release
Pulaski, VA- The Mariners pulled off their first win of the season thanks to Brock Hebert's three-run game winning homer Thursday night. Despite Pulaski's consecutive errors at the start of the game, the Mariners were able to defeat the Royals 4-3 at Historic Calfee Park.
Through five innings of play, Burlington's 23-year-old starting pitcher Daniel Hernandez was perfect, striking out five and walking none. He kept the Pulaski batters off balance by putting together a seemingly flawless mixture of perfectly placed fastballs and off-speed pitches.
To the surprise of all 745 fans attending the ballgame, Burlington's coaching staff made a gutsy decision to pull Hernandez from the game during the bottom of the sixth. He was relieved by RHP Parker Bangs. The first batter Parker faced, he plunked with a fastball, resulting in Hernandez's perfect game being erased. He then gave up a hard hit single to DH Toby DeMello that scored RF Jabari Henry. Parker continued to struggle; he hit his second batter of the inning putting base runners on first and second. This is when the hero of the night, Brock Hebert, stepped up to the plate and launched a three run bomb that sailed over the left field fence, sending the Pulaski fans into frenzy.
Not only did the M's break up the perfect game/no-hitter in the sixth, they took the lead 4 to 3. Mariners starting pitcher Rigoberto Garcia left the game after pitching six innings, striking out seven and walking two. Nick Valenza relieved Garcia throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Mariners coaching staff then decided to put Lars Huijer in to seal the deal. Fortunately, the move paid off. Huijer successfully the star of last night, Mark Threlkeld, to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to give Pulaski their first win of the season.
Pulaski will travel to Princeton, West Virginia tomorrow (6/22) where they will begin a three game series against the Rays.
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Appalachian League Stories from June 21, 2012
- Astros blast Cardinals on way to 10-3 victory - Greeneville Astros
- Hebert's Three-Run Homer Propels M's to first win - Pulaski Mariners
- Elizabethton Wins Rubber Game, 7-2 - Danville Otterbots
- 5-run 8th inning lifts Astros over Cardinals - Greeneville Astros
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