
Hoppers Lose on Chilly Opening Day
April 9, 2022 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release
As the sun went down, a cool spring evening became a cold spring night.
And yet, what remained was the promise of summer.
Such is the power of opening day.
Matt Gorski hit a towering three-run home run and walked twice, leading the Greensboro Grasshoppers in a season-opening 16-6 loss to the Rome Braves on the first FANomenal Fireworks Friday night at First National Bank Field.
Maikol Escotto hit a solo shot, and top prospect Henry Davis had a two-run single for Greensboro, which drew a big crowd of 5,294 to its South Atlantic League opener.
But a solid offense - seven different Hoppers players had hits - couldn't overcome an awful night by Greensboro's pitchers.
Landon Stephens went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs for Rome, which pounded out 15 hits and drew 15 walks. The Braves left 15 runners on base and scored runs in all but one inning of the opener.
Right-hander Adrian Florencio (0-1), the first of six Greensboro pitchers, allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings and took the loss.
Even so, we saw enough to make us come back.
We saw an eager young black Labrador retriever named Wille Mae delight the fans by fetching bats.
We saw a fireworks show that lit up the cold night sky.
And off in the distance, we saw a glimpse of the summer to come.
In his career at the News & Record, journalist Jeff Mills won 10 national and 12 state writing awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors, the Society for Features Journalism, and the N.C. Press Association.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 9, 2022
- Adam Hackenberg Powers Winston-Salem to Opening Day WÂ - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hot Rods Slug Two Home Runs in Double-Digit Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Frigid Temps Keep the Tourists Cold - Asheville Tourists
- Renegades Rally Late, Win in 10 - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Blue Rocks Split Opening Weekend Doubleheader with Cyclones - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Cyclones Split a Pair in Wilmington to Start 2022 Season - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Stewart Homers But BlueClaws Fall 3-1 on Saturday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Homestand Preview: the 'Dads Are Back - Hickory Crawdads
- HVR Game Notes - April 9, 2022 - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Hoppers Lose on Chilly Opening Day - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Brooklyn Cyclones Home Opener Is Tuesday, April 12 - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Trageton Shines in 9-2 Opening Day Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- BlueClaws Fall 11-10 to Aberdeen in Opener - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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