SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power secure seventh consecutive road win

Published on June 4, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Kannapolis, NC (June 4, 2008) - The West Virginia Power used a three-hit performance from Zelous Wheeler and six strong innings from Amaury Rivas to defeat the Kannapolis Intimidators 8-5 at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium on Wednesday night to secure their seventh consecutive road victory.

The first five Power batters reached safely in the second inning. Steffan Wilson began the inning with a walk and got to third on Wheeler's first of two doubles on the night. Caleb Gindl walked to load the bases before Eric Fryer singled in Wilson and Wheeler. David Fonseca followed with a base hit to score Gindl and complete the three-run inning. Wheeler's second double of the night scored Wilson in the third inning. Kannapolis scored their first run on Christian Marrero's solo homer in the fourth inning.

The Power answered with a three run fifth. Jonathan Lucroy scored the first run on Dale Mollenhauer's errant throw before Caleb Gindl singled in a pair of runs. Kannapolis got two more in the bottom of the fifth inning on a solo homer from Sergio Morales and Luis Sierra scored on Mollenhauer's groundout. Wheeler struck again in the eighth inning with a two-out RBI single to plate West Virginia's final run. The Intimidators came up with two runs in the ninth inning. Jim Gallagher's sacrifice fly scored Mark Fleisher and Sierra singled in Logan Johnson but it was too little and too late.

Rivas (5-1) allowed three runs, two earned on six hits and struck out six to get the victory. Corey Frerichs (3) retired the first six batters he faced and surrendered a pair of unearned runs on two hits over three innings to get the save. Jason Rice (1-5) gave up four runs on five hits over three innings and was tagged with the loss.

The Power improved to 25-33 with the win and the Intimidators fell to 25-34 with the loss. West Virginia has not lost a road game since May 21st when they dropped back-to-back one run games in a double header against Lake County. They have improved their road record to 17-15 after losing six of their first eight on the road. Every Power player hit safely at least once. Wheeler paced the Power with his three-hit performance and Wilson chipped in with a pair of singles. The Power struck out a season high 17 times.

The Power will continue the three game series against the Kannapolis Intimidators at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium on Thursday night. Left hander Dan Merklinger (0-4, 6.35) will get the start for the Power and the Intimidators will counter with right hander Miguel Socolovich (0-2, 6.91). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 4, 2008


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