SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Hoppers Put Things Together in 8-5 Win

May 28, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


One game doesn't make a turnaround, but you've got to start somewhere.

The Hoppers did that Wednesday afternoon, topping the Hagerstown Suns 8-5 at NewBridge Bank Park. Greensboro had lost four in a row and nine of 10 entering the contest.

"They all feel good when you win," said manager Kevin Randel, "but this one takes the cake a little bit."

(Full confession: I was unable to be there and spoke to Randel by phone.)

Randel said the Hoppers have been playing OK, with maybe three games during the slump in which they were out of it. The team was either hitting well or pitching well, but not at the same time, or the defense would occasionally let down. They had scored just 15 runs in the previous nine games.

"It was a case of (the hitters) trying to do too much," Randel said. "They feel pressure just like everyone else. Our situational hitting hasn't been good and so everyone feels like they have to drive in the runs and then things never go your way.

"Today we got some timely hitting - some two-out RBIs and some long balls. We moved runners and did the little things."

The long balls were provided by K.J. Woods, Felix Castillo and John Norwood, all solo homers. The Hoppers pounded out 15 hits, including four by third baseman Brian Schales, who drove in two runs, scored once and played excellent defense.

"That's the best I've seen out of Schales, both offensively and defensively," Randel said. "He made two outstanding plays and that's the kind of thing that picks up the pitcher and the team."

Castillo added three hits, including a double to go with his homer, and is now hitting .529 in limited playing time.

It was the Hoppers' first win over the Suns in six games. Thursday night they begin a four-game home series against Lakewood. They've played the BlueClaws nine times so far, winning four.

James Buckelew (3-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Jorgan Cavanerio with Josh Hodges retiring all six hitters he faced to post his fourth save.

"You give him the ball and he gets people out," Randel said of Hodges. "We haven't had a chance to give him the ball much recently, but we did today and he got the job done."

With a record of 19-27, the Hoppers are obviously out of the first-half race in the Northern Division. The aim is to gather some momentum and be a more competitive team in the second half.

"They've handled it as well as 19-year-olds can handle it," Randel said of the young roster. "The dugout has been down, the locker room has been down. We don't have that vocal leader to take charge.

"We want to get the ball rolling before the All-Star game. We knew we would take our lumps in the first half. But after the (break) they won't be rookies any more."

NOTES: Starter Jose Adames was promoted to Jupiter and reliever Connor Overton added to the roster ... Drew Steckenrider moves into the starting rotation.

Check out the Greensboro Grasshoppers Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from May 28, 2015


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