SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends Take Down Shorebirds in Walk-Off Fashion, 5-4

April 6, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Nathan Eaton of the Lexington Legends takes a big swing
Nathan Eaton of the Lexington Legends takes a big swing
(Lexington Legends, Credit: Clinton Riddle)

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) - The Lexington Legends took the game three victory over the Delmarva Shorebirds in walk-off fashion with a game winning, RBI single by Chase Vallot to give the Legends their first win of the season, 5-4.

The Shorebirds were first to strike in the top of the third inning. Will Robertson led off with a single to right then moved to second when Adam Hall drew a walk. Cadyn Grenier then drew another walk and the bases were loaded. Robert Neustrom drove a two-run double to left centerfield and the Shorebirds led, 2-0. With runners at second and third, a two-run single by JC Encarnacion drove home the final two runs of the game for Delmarva and the Shorebirds led 4-0.

The Legends plated their first runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Michael Gigliotti led off with an infield single. Nathan Eaton then drew a walk, moving Gigliotti to scoring position, while Vallot also moved to first with a base on balls. Reed Rohlman lined the ball down the first base line, allowing Gigliotti to score. Delmarva's right fielder, Doran Turchin, then threw the ball to third baseman, JC Encarnacion who then threw the ball home, but instead hit Vallot in the back allowing him to score. After the fourth, the Legends continued to trail 4-2.

Nick Hutchins led off the fifth inning with a double to deep right centerfield then came around to score on an RBI single to right field by Matt Morales. The Legends cut the lead to one-run after the fifth.

Lexington tied it in the bottom of the ninth inning. Hutchins led off with this third double of the evening. Jeison Guzman and Matt Morales then both went down on strikes. With two outs, Michael Gigliotti hit a ground ball to the shortstop, Adam Hall, committed a throwing error allowing Hutchins to score and the game was tied 4-4.

In the bottom of the tenth inning, Eric Cole was the Pace of Play Runner at second base. On a 3-2 count, Chase Vallot smacked an RBI single down the left field line, scoring Cole and the Legends walked it off with a 5-4 victory.

Jon Heasley earned the victory tossing the tenth inning allowing one hit while striking out one. Nick Gruener was given the loss allowing the winning run on one hit walking one.

The Legends and Shorebirds meet for the series finale tomorrow, April 7 at 2:05 p.m. Lexington's RHP Jonathan Bowlan will face Delmarva's LHP Nick Vespi.

The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, play all home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com.

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Images from this story

Nathan Eaton of the Lexington Legends takes a big swing
Nathan Eaton of the Lexington Legends takes a big swing
(Clinton Riddle)		   



South Atlantic League Stories from April 6, 2019


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