EL1 Harrisburg Senators

Jones' Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Senators

Published on July 16, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Harrisburg Senators News Release


Hunter Jones hit a walk-off grand slam to send the Harrisburg Senators to a 6-3 victory over the Akron RubberDucks. The Senators entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 3-1 before scoring five times for the comeback win.

After both starting pitchers traded four scoreless innings, the Senators opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth. Osvaldo Abreu led off the frame with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch by 'Duck starter Jake Paulson. The next batter, Hunter Jones, lined a single to left to put the Senators on top by a run.

Akron came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth on a run scoring single by Tyler Krieger.

That was the only run Senators starter Kyle McGowin allowed in seven innings along with four hits while he struck out eight and walked just two.

"I thought (McGowin) was really good. Out at (Canal Park) they were able to really make him work," Senators manager Matt LeCroy said. "This time he was able to throw more strikes, he made his pitches when he needed to and he did a good job of keeping us in the game."

The RubberDucks broke the 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth. Connor Marabell knocked a leadoff single against Senators reliever Derek Self. One batter later, Mark Mathias hit a two-run home run to right to give the 'Duck a 3-1 advantage.

The Senators rallied in the bottom of the frame to win. It started with a leadoff single by Jake Noll and walk by Austin Davidson. The next batter, Alec Keller, hit a groundball back to pitcher Nick Pasquale, who's throw to second was in the dirt which allowed pinch-runner Khayyan Norfork to reach second base safely to load the bases. That brought up Abreu, who hit a slow bouncing ball up the third base line and third baseman Sam Haggerty's throw to home plate went past catcher Logan Ice which allowed a run to score.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Hunter Jones smashed a walk-off grand slam over the left-field fence.

"I was just trying to keep the inning alive and was looking for a good pitch to drive," Jones said. "I know (Pasquale's) ball sinks hard and he has a really good slider. I was just laying off the slider and waiting for that sinker to come in and I golfed it."

"We battled and I'm really proud of (the players)," LeCroy said. "Jones worked a really good at-bat and laid off a couple good pitches. He got himself in a good count, (Pasquale) laid it in there and he was able to hit it"

Self (4-2) earned the win while Pasquale (2-3) took the loss after allowing the walk-off grand slam.

Jones hit the first walk-off grand slam since May 22, 2001 when Ron Callaway accomplished the feat against Portland. He finished the night 3-for-3 with five RBI.

The Senators and RubberDucks continue the series Tuesday night. Logan Darnell starts for the Senators against Akron starter Matt Whitehouse. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at FNB Field.

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Eastern League Stories from July 16, 2018


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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