SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends SP goes six innings strong to earn first win of 2008

Published on April 15, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


APPLEBEE'S PARK (Lexington, Ky.) - The dry and parched outfield of L.P. Frans Stadium seemed an odd place to end the Legends win drought, but with impressive late-inning defense and costly Crawdad errors, the Legends did just that in their 6-4 win over Hickory. After dropping four six games in a row at home, Lexington took the lead early and held in the clutch.

Starting off with a homer just a day before, Matt Cusick kicked off the game strong with another leadoff homerun from the Crawdad's Michael Felix (1-1). Craig Corrado then singled, but Felix recovered to help his team by sitting down Lexington's Collin DeLome and Brandon Barnes on strikes.

With two outs and runners on second and third, Eric Taylor hit an RBI single to shallow right field to score Corrado and build the Legends' cushion to two runs. Russell Dixon, who hustled to first base after striking out, would steal second and later was scored by a Hickory error for the third run.

The Legends then made short work of Hickory's finest, including two strikeouts for Lexington's Carlos Ladeuth in the first inning. Ladeuth (1-2) led the Legends through six innings in his first win of the season giving up three runs (one earned), with six strikeouts.

Despite their four strikeouts, the Crawdads came into the second needing four runs for the lead. After the Crawdad's Marcus Davis reached base on error with one out, Ladeuth struck out two straight.

The Crawdads would strike back in the third. Austin McClune's triple to deep right field scored a run, but the throw from right glanced off Corrado's glove at third allowing McClune to bring the deficit to one.

Crawdads reliever Tom Boleska came in to start the fourth inning and retired the Legends in order, but Lexington got its revenge in the top of the fifth. Matt Cusick got aboard on a centerfielder error, ending a twelve batter hitting drought for the Legends. Cusick then took two bases to reach third on a hit-and-run after being hit by the catcher's throw to second. Boreska's wild pitch ran past the catcher as Cusick raced to home for the score.

The Crawdads crept back in the fifth after Matt Cavagnaro advanced to third on error and was driven in by a Jose De Los Santos single. The Legends then cleared the bases with a double play and struck out Kyle Durham to end the inning up one run.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Hickory reliever Ronald Uviedo stranded the Legends with bases loaded strikeout in the seventh to rob Lexington of precious insurance runs. After two singles and a sacrifice bunt, the Legends managed the bases well, putting one Crawdad out at home and tagging another near third. Lexington's Fernando Abad popped up Eric Taylor to escape the seventh unscathed.

Singles from Lexington's Eric Taylor and Steve Brown started the bottom of the eighth inning, before Jonathan Fixler doubled to left field. Though Steve Brown was out at third on the play, Taylor scored and brought a concerned Hickory manager Gary Green to the mound. Facing new Hickory pitcher Matt McSwain, Roberto Mena then doubled with two outs to left field to bring in Fixler for the 6-3 lead.

Lexington's closer Jay Pacella entered the game in the ninth. Depite giving up one run, he got his first save of the season for Lexington's third win of the 2008 season.

Story written by Clay Bell, Lexington Legends

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 15, 2008


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