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Joes win over Macon Music

July 7, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Anderson Joes News Release


Anderson Joes starter Ronald Ball struck out 13 hitters in six innings, the second-highest total in the South Coast League this season, en route to an 8-5 win over the Macon Music on Saturday, finishing the first half of the season with back-to-back victories.

The Joes treated the 1,603 in attendance at Anderson Memorial to a dominant effort from Ball, who struck out the side twice and K'ed at least two batters in one inning five times, falling just two strikeouts short of teammate Jan Granado's league-record 15 Ks in one game.

All the Anderson players and coaches wore No. 7 jerseys as part of 7-7-07 Night, a number that suited the team just fine, especially Ball.

"I just got ahead with my fastball, then threw my off-speed pitch and yeah, it seemed to work," Ball said.

With his presence, the Joes took to the bats, scoring three runs in the third and never looking back. Tanner Rogers started the scoring with a bases-loaded, two-run double, his third hit in four times with the sacks full this season. The Joes would also receive a boost from Rogers' solo homer in the fifth inning, his second of the year. Rogers finished 2-for-2 with three runs and three RBI to lead Anderson. Brandon Carter chipped in a 2-for-3 night with three runs scored, including one of two crucial insurance runs the Joes scored in the bottom of the eighth inning after the Music cut the lead to one.

K.J. Hendricks and Triston Cortez-Pearson led the way for Macon (30-15), Hendricks driving in two runs and Cortez-Pearson scoring twice as the Music ended the first half of the season with back-to-back losses.

But the story for Anderson (13-32) was Ball, who, in making his first home start of the year, wowed the crowd with his overall performance, only allowing one earned run and six total baserunners against his 13 Ks in six innings. With the win, Ball improved to 2-0. Chris Ashman took the loss for Macon, dropping his record to 0-2.

Beginning Monday, the Joes will sit tied for first place in the league once again as the SCL's second half begins. With South Georgia having clinched the first-half crown Friday night, the league's five other teams will now all vie for the league's second playoff spot starting tomorrow.

"Coach keeps saying how we get to start over in the second half and we have a good pitching staff," Ball said, "so it ought to be an exciting second half."

The Joes get a day off before their second-half campaign begins. Anderson returns to action again on Monday night, when the Joes host the Bradenton Juice at Anderson Memorial Stadium for a 7:05 start.

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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.

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