SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends lose in extras to Delmarva 6-5

Published on April 29, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


SALISBURY (Md.) - After traveling to the East Coast, Lexington couldn't go the distance in their first game against the Shorebirds. It took eleven innings and almost four hours, but after a late rally the Legends lost a close one to Delmarva 6-5.

Lexington starter Colt Adams (1-2) held up well early, but couldn't find the run support for a chance at a win. Delmarva's Luis Noel (1-0) would make it tough on the Legends in his five full innings of one run, two hit and six strikeouts pitching.

After Lexington's scoreless turn of the second, Delmarva's Joseph Mahoney was walked to leadoff Delmarva. Adams sent a pitch that hiccupped past Legends catcher Jonathan Fixler, Mahoney advanced to second to threaten a score. Adams followed with his first strikeout of the game.

Wally Crancer then whacked a long ball that bounced near the right field line, sending Mahoney home and Crancer to third. Colt Adams worked himself out of the inning with his second strikeout and a popup to strand the Shorebird catcher in the second.

Neither team managed much in the third, but a Shorebird error would help Lexington shore up the score to start the fourth. With Collin DeLome on the bag from a walk, Delmarva's Martinez fielded a grounder at first for the out but hit DeLome in the back at second base.

After the error, DeLome ran to third and was driven in by a Jonathan Fixler single to knot the game up at two. Eric Taylor and Brandon Barnes joined Fixler to load the bases but Noel was able to strike out Nick Moresi, leaving three runs on the diamond.

Delmarva got it rolling for two scores with a series of shots in the bottom of the fifth. Kieron Pope got a hit to centerfield to leadoff the fifth, followed up by a Ryan Adams single. Matt Tucker's centerfield single sent Pope in for the one run Delmarva lead. Henson struck a hit over first base, scoring Matt Angle, but the Legends were able to slap the tag on in time as Tucker tried for home to end the fifth.

Both teams would reach into the bullpen for relief in the sixth, with varying results. Facing reliever Cliff Flagello, the Legends were put out in order in the sixth. Lexington's Adams started slipping as Joseph Mahoney sent a ball long to reach base.

He was put out by a Cusick double-play to first, but was followed by Crancer and Pope singles, prompting Lexington to bring in Brett Robinson to take over on the mound. With two out and two on facing a fresh arm, Ryan Adams dropped in a double to score two and extend Delmarva's lead to four.

In the top of the seventh, Brandon Barnes singled and advanced to second on Flagello's high pitch over the catcher. Moresi and Ronnie Ramierez were both walked on four pitches to load the bases. Matt Cusick and Craig Corrado both singled to score a pair and keep the bases loaded, but Collin DeLome's popup ended another opportunity for a Legends lead.

Lexington would dig into the lead again as Russell Dixon dug into a double to left field and was scored on a sacrifice fly from Eric Taylor. On the other side of the frame, the Legends replaced Brett Robinson with Reid Kelly. After letting the cleanup man on base with a double, Kelly and the Legends closed the books on the eighth looking for a rally in the ninth.

They would face sidearm reliever Mick Mattaliano looking for a save. A wide throw from third to first would let Ronnie Ramirez on to start the ninth. A bouncing dart from Matt Cusick was errantly thrown from second into the dugout, advancing Cusick and Ramirez to scoring position.

Craig Corrado then slapped a ball to Mattaliano, who dished to catcher Crancer for the tag on Ramirez coming home from third. Cusick would score from third on a slap for error from Collin DeLome. Russell Dixon hit to the third base gap to put DeLome on second, but Lexington couldn't bat in the go-ahead run and would play in a sudden death bottom of the ninth tied at 5-5.

Reid Kelly took on the top of the lineup with no room for error. After walking a batter and pitching around another, Kelly struck out power hitter Joe Mahoney and Anthony Martinez, extending the Legend's rally bid.

After a scoreless tenth inning, Delmarva put speedsters Matt Angle and Calvin Lester in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the eleventh. Matt Tucker smacked a ball to pitcher Jordan Powell, who put out Angle at third in a rundown. The Legends then pitched around Tyler Henson, bringing up Joseph Mahoney. Mahoney sent Powell's pitch through the third base gap and brought home Lester from second for the win.

The Legends will continue their four-game series with Delmarva tomorrow night at 7:05 PM.

Story written by Clay Bell, Lexington Legends

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from April 29, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central