SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

King for a Day: Souza's 10th Inning Homer Lifts Suns

Published on July 8, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Steven Souza hit a two-run home run in the top of the tenth inning on Thursday, and the Hagerstown Suns (6-9, 42-43) held on for a 6-5 victory over the Greenville Drive (10-5, 46-39).

The Suns fell behind early, as Greenville scored once in the first inning and twice more in the bottom of the third against Suns starter Dan Rosenbaum.

Right fielder Marcus Jones, in his first start for Hagerstown since being recalled from short-season Vermont, homered to right field leading off the top of the fifth. The home run was Jones' second of the season.

The Suns were not finished in the fifth, as three batters later, center fielder Eury Perez bunted for a single and stole second base. After second baseman Jeff Kobernus walked, Perez stole third. The ensuing throw from Drive catcher Dan Butler ended up in left field, scoring Perez and advancing Kobernus to second base.

Kobernus then scored on a double to right by shortstop Francisco Soriano, tying the game at 3-3.

Greenville retook the lead in the top of the sixth inning on two hits against reliever Ben Graham.

Once more the Suns answered, as Perez bunted for his third hit of the game to lead off the top of the seventh inning. Two batters later Soriano drove him in with a sacrifice fly to deep left field, bringing the Suns level at 4-4.

Rob Wort (3-0) entered the game for the Suns in the bottom of the seventh and the right-handed reliever was brilliant in his three innings of work. Wort allowed just one hit, did not walk a batter and struck out five Drive hitters.

In the top of the tenth inning, Soriano led off with a walk against Greenville reliever Dan Neuman (0-1). Souza, the Suns third baseman, followed with a line-drive home run over the left-center field fence, giving the Suns a 6-4 lead.

Hagerstown closer Dean Weaver replaced Wort in the bottom of the tenth. Weaver did allow an unearned run, but the righthander struck out right-fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker with the tying run on second base, giving the Suns the 6-5 victory.

Wort got the win with his three brilliant innings while Weaver earned his 12th save of the season. Neuman took the loss for Greenville.

The Suns and Drive will play the second game of their five-game series at Fluor Field in Greenville, SC on Friday at 7:00 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 8, 2010


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