Kubitza's Single Give Braves 2nd Straight Walk Off
August 17, 2011 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
Danville, VA - Different night, different hero, same story. The Braves were able to walk off with yet another victory on Wednesday night when Kyle Kubitza singled home Kurt Fleming in the bottom of the 11th. The Braves beat the Princeton Rays 8-7 in dramatic fashion.
Last night, Kurt Fleming laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by pitcher, David Kubiak. Kubiak attempted to throw Fleming out at first but instead threw the ball away to allow Elmer Reyes to score the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
Tonight, Kurt Fleming got the inning started with a single to center field. His brother, Kenny, laid down a sacrifice bunt and catcher, Justin O'Conner, picked up and fired the ball towards second. Instead of a good throw to get Kurt out, O'Conner's attempt sailed into center field allowing Kurt to take third. The Rays proceeded to intentionally walk Nick Ahmed to load the bases with no outs for Kyle Kubitza. With the infield in, Kubitza lined a Lucas Irvine pitch to left field to score Kurt Fleming giving the Braves another thrilling victory. The Braves extended their winning streak to five games.
The D-Braves exploded for six runs in the second inning. Three straight singles by Billy Beckwith, Chase Larsson, and Nick De Santiago loaded the bases for Elmer Reyes with no one out. Reyes grounded out to short and brought in the game's first run. After a passed ball, Kurt Fleming grounded out to second allowing the Braves second run to score. Kenny Fleming followed with a single of his own to make it a 3-0 game.
Nick Ahmed tripled later in the inning to right field scoring the Braves fourth run. Kyle Kubitza then singled to score Ahmed and Brandon Drury doubled to left field to score Kubitza. The Braves had a 6-0 lead after scoring six earned runs, four of which occurred with two outs in the inning.
The Rays got back into the game quickly in the fourth and fifth innings. A bases loaded walk and a Ryan Brett two run single in the fourth cut the Braves lead in half. Then in the fifth, Daniel Winnie replaced Rafael Briceno after Briceno had runners on first and second with one out. Winnie allowed an RBI single to Joel Caminero and a wild pitch later in the inning scored Taylor Motter. The Braves lead was sliced down to one after five.
The Braves got a run back in the sixth to make it 7-5 but the Rays were able to tie it off of Joe Lucas in the top of the eighth. With two outs in the inning Jake Hager singled and Drew Vettleson walked. Cameron Seitzer doubled to left-center field to score both runs and make it a brand new ball game with both teams having seven runs a piece.
The game remained that way until Kubitza's heroics in the bottom of the 11th. Wilson Rivera pitched the 10th and 11th for Danville and was credited with his first win of the year. Lucas Irvine, who pitched the final three innings for Princeton got hit third loss of the year. Princeton has now lost eight straight.
The Braves will look for their second straight series sweep tomorrow night and with that could come their longest winning streak of the year. Tomorrow night's game is set for 7:00 pm. For more information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, email at info@dbraves.com, or log on to www.dbraves.com.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 17, 2011
- Kubitza's Single Give Braves 2nd Straight Walk Off - Danville Otterbots
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