CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys come back but fall just short

Published on April 17, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


On the first fireworks night of the season, the Keys almost started the fireworks early as they cut the Hillcats' lead to one and had two runners on base in the ninth but could not get them across. Lynchburg escaped with a 5-4 victory of the Keys at Harry Grove Stadium on Friday night.

Friday's night game started late due to a 36-minute rain delay but as soon as the two teams hit the field, action ensued. Lynchburg's leadoff hitter, Josh Fellhauer, took Nate Nery's second pitch of the night deep down the right field line for a solo home run. The Keys did not get a hit of Hillcats' starter Brad Boxberger until the Billy Rowell stepped to the plate to lead off the third inning. Rowell skied the Boxberger offering deep down the left field line for an opposite field home run. That would be the only blemish on Boxberger all night. He allowed one run on one hit over five innings of work while striking out six. The score was tied for only a moment as Lynchburg scored two in the top of the fourth. With one down, Carlos Mendez doubled off Nery and then Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run blast to give the Hillcats a lead they would never relinquish.

Lynchburg added a run in the fifth and one in the ninth while Frederick tacked on a run in the eighth on Brian Ward's first home run of the season and second of his career. The stage was set for an exciting finish in the bottom of the ninth. Mace Thurmon, Lynchburg's closer, entered the game. Thurmon entered the game with a Carolina League best three saves on the season. However, Friday would not be his best night. Thurmon hit Kyle Hudson, the first batter he faced, and then walked Ronnie Welty and Joe Mahoney to load the bases. DH Wally Crancer stepped to the plate and Thurmon got Crancer to ground into a 4-6-3 double play. Hudson scored on the play to cut Lynchburg's lead down to two runs. L.J. Hoes singled a Thurmon offering to centerfield to bring home Ronnie Welty to make the score 5-4. Thurmon walked the next batter he faced in Billy Rowell and his night would end there. The new pitcher for the Hillcats was Justin Freeman and we would face Brian Ward, who was just an inning removed from his first home run of the season. After Ward fought off a couple pitches, Freeman caught Ward looking on a backdoor slider to end the game.

Despite only have three hits on the night, the Keys set the stage in the ninth for a dramatic comeback but fell just short. The Hillcats out hit the Keys, 14 to three on the night. With the win Lynchburg improves to 4-4 on the year while Frederick falls to 4-4. The two teams are now tied atop the Carolina League Northern Division standings. Game two of the three game series will take place Saturday afternoon at Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys will pitch Cole McCurry (0-0, 2.25) while the Hillcats will toss Travis Webb (0-0, 0.00). First pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. as HBP, Inc. presents Montgomery County Keys for Reading day. Fans in attendance will also receive a 2010 Keys magnet schedule courtesy of Amerigas. For tickets call 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at www.frederickkeys.com.

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Carolina League Stories from April 17, 2010


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