SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power clinch division with doubleheader split

Published on August 29, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Charleston, WV (August 29, 2008) - The West Virginia Power scored a come from behind victory in the first game of their double header against the Kannapolis Intimidators at Appalachian Power Park on Friday night. Even though they lost the second game, the victory in game one, coupled with Lakewood's loss to Hagerstown officially secured the Second Half Northern Division Crown for the Power, putting them in the post season for the second year in a row.

The first game saw five lead changes, with West Virginia scoring twice with two outs in the ninth to win 8-7. Eduardo Escobar scored in the first inning on a wild pitch to put Kannapolis ahead. The Power scored three times in the second to take the lead. Zelous Wheeler ripped a solo shot, his 13th of the year to tie the game and Eric Farris singled in two runs to give the Power their first lead. Jim Gallagher tied the game a half inning later with his first two-run homer of the game. Mark Fleisher singled in a run in the fifth inning to give Kannapolis the lead again before Gallagher hit his second two-run shot later in the inning.

Wheeler knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning before Farris doubled in a pair of runs to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. In the ninth inning, Gallagher ripped a two out single and moved to second base on a wild pitch before he scored the go ahead run on Brent Morel's base hit. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Curt Rindal singled into right field to score Eric Fryer and Steffan Wilson to win the game.

The second game didn't involve as much offense as the Power fell 2-1. Steffan Wilson began the second inning with a base hit and he scored West Virginia's only run of the game on Gordon Beckham's throwing error. A wild pitch allowed Jorge Castillo to score with two outs in the sixth inning to tie the game. Christian Marrero began the seventh with a single and he scored the go ahead run on Farris's fielding error.

In game one Mike Ramlow (6-3) retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to get the victory. Tyson Corley (0-4) allowed a pair of runs on three hits over three innings and was tagged with the loss. Leroy Hunt (3-5) earned the victory in the second game after tossing two and a third scoreless innings of relief. Corey Frerichs (6-9) allowed an unearned run on two hits over an inning and two-thirds and was tagged with the loss. R.J. Seidel started game two and went five and a third, allowing just a run on six hits, while fanning eight batters, a season high.

The Power are 76-60 on the year and 44-23 in the second half with the split. The Intimidators are 65-67 on the year and 34-28 in the second half with the split. Gindl hit safely in the first game, but went hitless in the second contest, snapping his hitting streak at 13 games. With the victory, West Virginia will make the post season for the second year in a row, and for the third time in the last five years.

The Power will continue the five game series against the Kannapolis Intimidators to finish the regular season at Appalachian Power Park on Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Wily Peralta (0-0, 7.36) and the Intimidators will counter with right hander Charlie Shirek (5-6, 3.69). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 29, 2008


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