SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Finish Regular Season with a Walk Off Victory

Published on September 1, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Charleston, WV (September 1, 2008) - The West Virginia Power snapped a three-game losing streak on Monday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park as Matt Cline scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a ground ball hit by Lee Haydel in a 4-3 victory over the Kannapolis Intimidators.

West Virginia took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Steffan Wilson knocked in his 100th run of the season on an RBI single and he scored later in the inning when Zelous Wheeler grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. The Intimidators cut the deficit in half in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Brent Morel.

Morel struck again in the eighth inning on a two-run homer to give the Intimidators their first lead of the game. Curt Rindal delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Matt Cline started the ninth inning with a base hit, and moved to second on Eric Farris's infield single. With runners on second and first, Jeff Isom called for a double steal. On the first pitch of Lee Haydel's at bat, he hit a ground ball to the second baseman Eduardo Escobar. Escobar flipped to second base to record the out, but Gordon Beckham's relay throw was late to first base and Matt Cline scored from second base to end the game.

Jose Garcia (3-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to get the victory. Tyson Corley (0-5) allowed the winning run to score in the ninth inning and was tagged with the loss. Dan Merklinger pitched well enough to get the win but didn't factor into the decision. He allowed just a run on four hits over six innings of work and struck out seven batters.

The Power improved to 77-62 on the year and 45-25 in the second half with the win. The Intimidators fell to 67-68 on the year and 36-29 in the second half with the loss. Four Power players turned in multi-hit games, including Eric Farris who extended his hitting streak to nine games. Eric Fryer went 1-for-4, finishing the year at .335, good enough to capture the 2008 South Atlantic League Batting Title. A Power player has captured that crown two years in a row now.

The Power will begin their best of three game series in the first round of the playoffs against the Lake County Captains at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. The Power will start right hander R.J. Seidel (9-5, 4.51) and the Captains will counter with right hander Joey Mahalic (7-6, 4.19. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

For more information contact the Power Front Offices at (304) 344-2287 or visit the Power website at www.wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from September 1, 2008


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