Owls Slip Again Against Martinsville, 7-4
June 2, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
MARTINSVILLE, VA. - The Forest City Owls suffered another defeat against the Martinsville Mustangs, 7-4, Thursday night at Hooker Field. The Owls fall to 1-2, while the Mustangs remain undefeated at 3-0.
Austin Peay State's Ryan Quick got the starting nod for the Owls tonight. Quick received the loss, giving up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits, walking four batters and striking out one in 5 2/3 innings.
After getting two quick outs to kick off the bottom of the first, Quick ran into command issues, eventually loading the bases. Mustangs catcher Adam Pendelton smacked a single to right field that scored A.J. Nunziato and Zack Helgeson, giving Martinsville a 2-0 lead.
The Mustangs struck again in the bottom of the third inning. Quick allowed a leadoff double to center fielder Mike Anderson, who scored on a two-bagger to deep center field by Nunziato. Martinsville took a 3-1 advantage into the fourth inning.
The Owls finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Designated hitter Jake Watson blasted a triple off the left field fence, plating Axel Johnson. Shortstop Michael Bueker squirted a single into left field in the following at-bat, bringing Watson home and cutting the Mustangs' lead to 3-2.
The Mustangs experienced an offensive surge in the bottom of the sixth. Nunziato began the proceedings by crushing a solo home run over the right field wall. Quick's struggles continued in the sixth. The Owls had a chance to escape the inning with just one run against, but Jordan Betts bobbled a John Faircloth ground ball. Shawn Ball hit a two-out triple down the right field line, scoring Pendleton and Faircloth. Brennan Huelse replaced Quick and promptly gave up an Ian Harvey RBI single, which scored Ball. Martinsville put four runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth, boosting their lead to 7-2.
Forest City got two runs back in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, left fielder Konstantine Diamaduros pushed Jake Watson across the plate with an RBI single. An at-bat later, Jordan Betts lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Michael Bueker. The Mustangs led 7-4 heading into the seventh-inning stretch, a lead they would not relinquish.
Nunziato was the offensive catalyst for the Mustangs tonight, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, and two RBIs. Diamaduros had three singles and an RBI for the Owls.
The Owls return to McNair Field Friday night, where they will host the Gastonia Grizzlies. First pitch is set for 7:30 PM.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 2, 2011
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