SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Lasater, Five-Run First Powers Greensboro Past Asheville, 12-2

Published on April 13, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


Greensboro, N.C. - Greensboro put five runs on the board in the home half of the first inning Sunday and never looked back en route to a 12-2 victory over the visiting Asheville Tourists.

After scoring five runs in the first and two additional runs in the second inning, Ben Lasater exploded in the middle innings with a grand slam in the fourth inning and a solo home run in the sixth to put the Hoppers out in front 12-2.

The home grand slam was Lasater's first home run since Aug. 17, 2007, when he also hit a grand slam while playing with Jamestown of the New York Penn League; his second homer of the day marked the first time in his career he's hit two home runs in the same game.

Greensboro began the scoring with one out in the first as the Grasshoppers collected five consecutive hits which culminated with a two-run home run by Torre Langley. The home run was Langley's first of the season and Greensboro's five-run first matched its highest run total in a single inning this season.

For the second consecutive night, four Hoppers finished the game with two or more hits as Bryan Petersen and Lasater each had three hits and Ryan Anetsberger and Mike Stanton added two apiece.

On the mound, Brett Durand got the start for the Hoppers and threw 6.0 innings allowing both Tourists runs on just four hits while striking out six batters en route to his second victory of the season. A.J. Battisto relieved Durand in the seventh and pitched 3.0 scoreless innings to pick up this first save.

The Hoppers (7-4) will return to field early Monday to host Asheville (7-4) in a 12:30 p.m. match-up as Greensboro's Cristhian Martinez (0-0, 4.09) squares off against Jhoulys Chacin (1-0, 0.00).

Tickets for Monday's game are still available and can be purchased by contacting the Grasshoppers Box Office at 336-268.2255 or visit www.gsohoppers.com on the World Wide Web.

The Grasshoppers have welcomed over 1,250,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, becoming the only Class A team in the history of Minor League Baseball to draw over 400,000 fans and grow its attendance for three straight years in a new ballpark. They are the proud recipients of both the South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past three years.

Check out the Greensboro Grasshoppers Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2008


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