SAL1 Asheville Tourists

Hollingsworth, Spruill Duel In The Rain

Published on May 14, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release


(Asheville, NC) - The Tourists and Braves met for the finale of a four-game set Thursday night at McCormick Field, with the Braves taking a pitcher's duel by a score of 3-2. Asheville starting pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth threw seven strong innings, his best outing of the year, but was trumped by his opposition, Zeke Spruill. The 19-year-old right hander went eight innings for his second straight outing, earning his sixth win of the year in as many starts.

The Tourists jumped on Spruill early in the bottom of the first inning with two runs. With one out, Delta Cleary smashed a line drive homerun to right-center field, a solo shot for his first homer of the year. Jordan Pacheco followed with a single up the middle and Kiel Roling drove him in with a towering double off the right field wall, giving Asheville the early 2-0 lead.

Rome scratched across a run in the top of the third when Ryan Barba pulled a one-out single down the left field line. With two away, Luis Sumoza drove a double over Tyler Massey's head in right field, plating Barba to cut the Tourists lead to 2-1. Asheville almost cut Barba down at the plate, but the throw home from Jimmy Cesario was a touch high, allowing Barba to slide headfirst below the tag of Pacheco.

The Braves got to Hollingsworth in the top of the fourth inning when Gerry Rodriguez led off with a base hit into left field. Rodriguez was erased on a fielder's choice and replaced on first by Samuel Sime. With one away, Stephen Shults pulled a double past the bag at third, putting runners on second and third. Designated hitter Braeden Schlehuber came up with the big hit of the night, pulling a base hit through the hole at short to score both runs and give Rome the 3-2 lead.

The Tourists could not produce anything the rest of the game off Spruill, who settled down after the first inning, allowing just two hits through the bottom of the eighth. Spruill was relieved by Craig Kimbrel in the ninth, who retired the side in order for the save.

Ethan Hollingsworth finished with seven innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out four. Hollingsworth did not allow a hit following Rome's two-run fourth inning, retiring the final eleven batters he faced. Kurt Yacko came on in relief and worked two perfect innings to close the game out.

The Tourists (14-19) will next face the Augusta Greenjackets (12-21) for a four-game series at McCormick Field beginning Friday night at 7:05. Asheville RHP Robinson Fabian (1-2, 4.75) will take on Augusta LHP Eric Surkamp (1-1, 5.33) in game one Friday night. Tickets for Friday's game and all Tourists home games are available by contacting the Tourists box office at (828) 258-0428. You can also listen to all 140 Asheville Tourists games live on 100.7 WRES FM or streaming online at www.theashevilletourists.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 14, 2009


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