Jackets Crawl From Early Hole in 9-7 Win
Published on July 16, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Augusta, GA - Trailing by six runs in the bottom of the third, the Augusta GreenJackets never gave up - scoring nine unanswered runs and picking up a series sweep of the West Virginia Power with a 9-7 win on Thursday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
Francisco Peguero had hits in his first three at-bats while three other Jackets had multi-hit games. After West Virginia took the lead early by scoring three runs each in the second and third innings to chase starter Ari Ronick, the GreenJackets went to work. They would send eight to the plate in the third, seven in the fourth and ten in the fifth to plate nine runs.
The comeback began with Ehire Adrianza's RBI single in the third to extend his consecutive games on-base streak to 26 games. Andy D'Alessio knocked in another to cut the deficit to four, but the Jackets still stranded the bases full with one out in the third inning.
Vladimir Frias singled in a run in the fourth and Josh Mazzola's sacrifice fly halved the lead again, but the real GreenJackets fireworks wouldn't come until the fourth. After Jose Flores' walk to open the inning, Mike Loberg's fourth home run of the year - a two-run, no doubt blast over the right field fence - tied the contest at six. With men at the corners, Peguero's groundout gave the Jackets a one-run lead. The lead grew when a run scored on a fielder's choice grounded into by Adrianza and Augusta added yet another on D'Alessio's second RBI single of the night.
West Virginia added a run in the seventh to cut the lead to two, but Edwin Quirarte slammed the door in the ninth, striking out two in a one-two-three inning to earn save number five.
Augusta's bullpen was their saving grace, with Justin Fitzgerald making his longest appearance of the year in the win. Fitzgerald (1-2) kept the Power at bay with four scoreless innings of one-hit baseball, walking one and striking out four. He pitched out of a key jam in the seventh, striking out two with the tying run at the plate to finish a superb appearance.
Ronick, chased early like his counterpart Brian Leach, made his shortest outing of the year in a two-inning sting where he never found his breaking ball all night. He yielded six runs - three earned - on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts. With the win, the GreenJackets have now won four in a row overall and their last seven against the Power dating back to the 2008 South Atlantic League Championship Series. Since the start of last season, Augusta has won 12 of 15 against the Power.
Greensboro comes into town for the first time this season and will face righty Eric Stolp (3-1, 2.76) in the opener. The Grasshoppers will counter with Tom Koehler (4-3, 2.80). First pitch comes at 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on WRDW AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. You may purchase seats by calling 706-922-WINS or online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2009
- BlueClaws Almost Complete Miracle Comeback - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Jackets Crawl From Early Hole in 9-7 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Bury Suns - Hagerstown Suns
- Lavarnway Powers Drive to 8-5 Victory Over Suns - Greenville Drive
- Greensboro Wins Final Game of Series - Rome Emperors
- Power Swept by GreenJackets - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Crawdads Win Series in Charleston with 8-2 Victory - Hickory Crawdads
- Crawdads Nip RiverDogs, 8-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Delmarva Completes Sweep of Legends - Lexington Legends
- Carter Shines in 2-0 Win in Savannah - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Back-to-Back Fireworks Nights - Hagerstown Suns
- Captains Avoid Sweep From Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Circus Back in Lakewood Next Month - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
