Ninth Inning Rally Lifts West Virginia To 5-3 Win
May 28, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
Salisbury, Md. - The West Virginia Power (23-24) scored three runs off closer David Walters in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds (27-22) 5-3 in the series finale at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Saturday night in front of the largest crowd of the season of 8,373 fans. By virtue of the comeback win, the Power take the series three games to one.
The Power scored the first run of the night in the first inning. Mel Rojas Jr. hit a one out single. Jacob Pettit walked Matt Curry and surrendered a single to Justin Howard to load the bases. Then, Elias Diaz drew a walk to force in Rojas Jr.
The Shorebirds grabbed the lead in the second. Ty Kelly hit a one out single to left field. Two batters later, Mike Flacco belted a two-run homer inside the foul pole in left to give the âBirds a 2-1 lead.
The Shorebirds added to their lead in the third. Jonathan Schoop hit a line drive homer inside the foul pole in left field to give the Shorebirds a 3-1 lead.
West Virginia inched within a run in the fifth inning. Andy Vasquez drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a double by Eric Avila. Then, Rojas Jr. grounded deep in the hole on the left side of the infield to score Vasquez.
The Shorebirds maintained a 3-2 lead heading into the top of ninth inning and closer David Walters entered. Elias Diaz drew a walk on four pitches to open the inning. Rogelio Noris then dropped a sacrifice bunt to push Diaz to second. Then, Kevin Mort singled into right-center field to tie the game at 3-3. Andy Vasquez followed with a triple towards the warning track in right-center to give the Power a 4-3 lead. Two batters later, Daniel Grovatt doubled to stretch the advantage to 5-3.
Mikey Planeta lined into a double play to end the game in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Reliever Brooks Pounders (4-0) earned the win in two shutout innings. Walters was pinned with the loss.
The Shorebirds travel to Lakewood, New Jersey for game one against the BlueClaws on Sunday night at 7:05 p.m.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 28, 2011
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- Rome earns series split with 7-3 win over Legends - Lexington Legends
- 'Dads fall to RiverDogs, 6-3, in series finale - Hickory Crawdads
- Ninth Inning Rally Lifts West Virginia To 5-3 Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
- GreenJackets Avoid Sweep With 3-2 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Cruise to Victory Behind Ranaudo's Performance - Greenville Drive
- Roller's Round-Tripper Helps RiverDogs Earn Series Split - Charleston RiverDogs
- RiverDogs Ring in June at the Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Game Notes: Saturday, May 28 at Augusta - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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