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Macon Outlasts Anderson, 9-8

July 5, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Anderson Joes News Release


In what amounted to the baseball equivalent of a 12-round boxing match, Macon and Anderson went back and forth for one of the most exciting games played in the South Coast League this season. In the end, though, the Music landed too many punches in defeating the Joes, 9-8, in 11 innings on Thursday.

It marked the second time the Joes and Music played to 11 innings this year, except this time Macon won to avenge their extra-inning loss on May 31 on the very same field. The Music (29-13), however, were tested severely in earning their third win in a row in front of 2,063 fans at Anderson Memorial Stadium.

"It was a great game," Joes center fielder Heath Keel said despite the loss. "It was fun, it was a great atmosphere."

Macon first held a two-run lead in the fifth inning when Anderson (11-31) center fielder Keel hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 3-3. With the Music then leading 7-5 in the eighth inning, Keel struck for another two-run shot, tying the game once more. It was the first time this season any Joes player has hit two home runs in one game, and both the eighth and ninth home runs of the season for Keel tied the game when they were hit.

Neither team put a run across in the ninth inning, setting up a dramatic 10th. In the top half, Macon scored on a play that brought a fired up Joes manager Desi Wilson out of his dugout seat.

With Music runner Scott Robinson on third base, Casey Garrison hit a fly ball to right field. Joes right fielder Billy Hogan made a failed attempt at the ball in what appeared to be foul territory. Home plate umpire Tom Stewart ruled that Hogan made contact with the ball in fair territory, allowing Robinson to score. After hearing from Wilson, Joes catcher Tanner Rogers and fellow umpire Tom Height, Stewart decided to let the ruling stand, giving Macon an 8-7 lead.

But the Joes, Keel in particular, were not done. Already having tied the game twice, Keel came up in the bottom of the 10th with Rogers on second base and hit an RBI double for his third game-tying hit of the night.

That would be the last cause for Anderson to celebrate, though, as Joes reliever Henry Martinez allowed a lead-off double to K.J. Hendricks to start the 11th. After a sacrifice bunt moved Hendricks to third, Dorian Rojas dropped a squeeze bunt to perfection that allowed Hendricks to score the eventual winning run.

Anderson threatened in their last trip to the plate, getting Brandon Carter to second base with two outs, but Hogan grounded out to second to end the game. With the loss, the Joes are 1-3 in extra-inning games this year, while the Music improved to 3-1 with the win.

Keel ended up 3-for-5 with two home runs, two runs and five RBI. Carter went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI of his own.

"I think the most important thing that we take from today's game is our resiliency," Keel said. "Our resiliency to not give in. I think that shows a lot from our ball club. It really seems like we're starting to click on all cylinders and I think we're going to have a lot of momentum going into the second half (of the season)."

Martinez took the loss, dropping to 1-3. Cesar Herrera earned the win for Macon, improving to 1-0. Jordan Neufeld notched his second save of the year in pitching the final inning.

The teams play a doubleheader tomorrow, with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m.

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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.

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