Keys Squeak Out Win in Series Finale
Published on April 18, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
The Keys capitalized on critical Hillcat errors en route to a 7-6 win on Sunday afternoon. Despite seeing their lead disappear on three separate occasions, the Keys were able to escape with a one-run victory in the rubber match of the three-game series against Lynchburg.
Frederick struck first on the crisp Sunday afternoon at Harry Grove Stadium. With two outs and Kyle Hudson on first, Joe Mahoney hit a groundball to first. Neftali Soto, who had started the previous two games in the series at third base, booted the ball into right field and allowed Hudson to score. The Keys took a 1-0 lead despite having no hits in the inning. That lead would dissipate quickly as Lynchburg's Kyle Day took a Kenny Moreland pitch deep over the centerfield wall for a two-run home run to give the Hillcats a one-run lead. In the fourth inning, Billy Rowell doubled home Joe Mahoney to tie the game and then with Bobby Stevens at the plate, Wally Crancer scored on a Mark Serrano wild pitch to give the Keys a 3-2 lead. Buck Britton, who had 3 RBI on Saturday night, would bring home Rowell later in the inning to give Frederick a two-run advantage after four innings. That lead was short lived. With two outs and two men on, Alex Buchholz drove in Cody Puckett and Miguel Rojas on a two-run double to tie the game up. Billy Rowell, who finished the game with a season-high three RBI, came to the plate with two down in the fifth and the game tied up. Rowell hit the Lance Janke pitch down the right field line for a two-run double. Once again, the Keys would squander the lead. Devin Mesoraco took Jose Duran's first pitch deep over the right field fence to cut the lead to one. The Hillcats' would score another run in the sixth thanks to a Cody Puckett RBI double. The score was tied up at six and the stage was set for a thrilling finish.
Neither team scored in the seventh inning and heading into the bottom of the eighth the score was still nodded up at six. With one down and one on, Buck Britton hit a groundball to first, Neftali Soto could not handle it and the ball went into the outfield. Bobby Stevens, who was on first at the time, advanced to third on the play. Jacob Julius was the next batter up. He hit a sharp groundball to second for a tailor made double play. However, SS Miguel Rojas bobbled the ball on the exchange and could not get Julius at first. Stevens scored on the play to give the Keys their fourth and final lead of they day at 7-6. John Mariotti pitched out a possible jam in the ninth to secure the win for Frederick. Mariotti picked up his first win of the season as he pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning. Keys' starting pitcher, Kenny Moreland, threw five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out three. He got a no-decision.
The Keys are now 6-4 on the year and sit atop the Carolina League Northern Division standings by two games. Frederick will be in Woodbridge, VA the next four days as they visit the Potomac Nationals. The Keys will return home on Friday, April 23 for the first ever Going Green Night at Harry Grove Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. For tickets call 1-888-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at www.frederickkeys.com.
Carolina League Stories from April 18, 2010
- Rolling Red Sox Flatten Pelicans, 9-3 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Keys Squeak Out Win in Series Finale - Frederick Keys
- Lewis' Walk-Off Homer Completes Kinston Sweep - Winston-Salem Dash
- Potomac Nationals Take Series at Wilmington - Potomac Nationals
- Kinston Swept by Winston-Salem on Walk-Off Homer - Kinston Indians
- Rally Cats Fall Short in Finale with Keys - Hill City Howlers
- Rocks Shutdown by P-Nats - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Lynchburg Hillcats (4-5) at Frederick Keys(5-4) Sunday April 18 - Hill City Howlers
- Winston-Salem Dash (6-3) vs. Kingston Indians (3-6) - Winston-Salem Dash
- K-Tribe Has Lost Four in a Row - Kinston Indians
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