SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Hoppers win third straight over Savannah

Published on August 5, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


GREENSBORO, N.C. - Two Greensboro Grasshoppers celebrated an unofficial "Family Night" at First Horizon Park Saturday.

Trent D'Antonio and Brad Correll both hit home runs with family members watching as the Hoppers beat the Savannah Sand Gnats 3-2. It was Greensboro's third straight win after dropping the series opener.

D'Antonio's mother and father traveled from Wollongong, Australia, to watch their son. They joined the Hoppers on the road in Columbus, Ga., and came on to Greensboro. They'll be in the U.S. through Aug. 17.

Last year, D'Antonio hit a home run while his mother and grandfather were in the stands.

"It's really good to have my dad here because he hasn't seen me play professional baseball," D'Antonio said. "He's the one who taught me how to play and he's been my swing doctor through the years."

D'Antonio's eighth home run of the season came in the bottom of the fifth inning and tied the game 2-2.

Correll's homer in the sixth inning provided the winning run and was his third in four games. It came with his mother in the stands and on his father's birthday, although his dad couldn't attend. Correll was playing in his ninth game with the Hoppers after being signed by the Florida Marlins when he was released by Pittsburgh's organization.

"I'm starting to feel a little better at the plate," Correll said. "I'd like to hit some singles and doubles, but I'll take the home runs. I like hitting in this park."

Manager Brandon Hyde said the 25-year-old Correll, who grew up in Charlotte and went to high school in Gastonia, has given the team a spark.

"Sometimes a fresh place to play and new people around you can give you a jump-start on your career," Hyde said. "He has a great attitude."

The home runs backed up another excellent performance by Greensboro pitchers. Starter Sean West (6-4) went six innings to pick up the win. He had one rough inning, giving up a two-run homer to Brian Peacock in the fourth, but then getting a strikeout to strand runners at second and third.

David Humen pitched an inning and two-thirds and Mauro Zarate got the last four outs, three on strikeouts, for his fourth save.

In the last three games, Hoppers pitchers gave up only three runs and the bullpen has thrown nine scoreless innings.

The game was marked by some odd plays. Savannah's Ofilio Castro was called out when the home plate umpire ruled fan interference on his foul ball to right field. And Alex Nunez was called out for being out of the batters box on a bunt.

The Hoppers also got a break in the fourth inning when Scott Schade's long drive to center field hit the warning track and bounced over the fence for a ground rule double. That meant Leonard Davis, who had walked, had to stop at third base instead of scoring. West then struck out Reggie Fitzpatrick to end the inning.

The Hoppers continue their home stand with four games against the Charleston, S.C., RiverDogs. The first game is Sunday at 5 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 5, 2006


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