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Pride Outlast Bluefish, 11-9, Murray Homers Twice

June 29, 2003 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
American Defenders of New Hampshire News Release


Nashua, NH - June 29th, 2003 - Glenn Murray and the Nashua Pride defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish tonight, 11-9, in front of 2,946 fans at Historic Holman Stadium.

The Bluefish capitalized on early wildness by Pride starter Carlos Chantres, who walked six batters and hit two in his four innings of work, including three in the first inning alone. Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the second, the Pride found an offensive groove. Murray started the explosion in style, leading off the frame with his 14th homerun. The drive was the 97th of Murray's Nashua career, the most by any player in Atlantic League history. After Damian Sapp struck out looking, five consecutive batters reached base, highlighted by a Joe Kilburg RBI double and a two run single by David Francia. Francia was later forced at second by a Chris Petersen grounder, but even that play worked out well for the Pride when Pat Howell, still playing in place of the injured Tim Garland, hustled around to score from second.

The 'Fish got one back in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Jose Offerman to score Tony Rodriguez, but Nashua quickly widened the gap in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Sapp walked before advancing to third on a Mitch Meluskey single. Both runners had an easy trot home when Chop Pough belted his seventh homerun of the season, a three-run shot, to give the Pride an 8-2 lead after five innings.

But the 'Fish refused to lie down, knocking Pride reliever Brian Looney around in the sixth. Rolo Avila led off the frame with a solo shot to left, earning Bridgeport's third run of the night. After the Pride recorded one out and two Bridgeport batters reached, Otanez once again factored into the score line, smacking a three-run shot to left to bring the 'Fish within two runs.

After Howell scored Nashua's ninth run of the night on a Chris Petersen sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth, the two teams remained scoreless until the top half of the ninth. With two outs and runners at the corners, Jose Amado tied things up with a three run homerun off Pride closer Ned Darley, silencing the Holman Stadium crowd.

The heartache was only temporary. With one down and a man on in the bottom of the ninth, Murray struck again. The veteran leftfielder brought the crowd to its feet with his second homerun of the night, a game winning two run shot to left against Bridgeport reliever Bobby Chouinard. The blast moved him out of a tie with teammate Damian Sapp for the league lead in round trippers.

Pride reliever Dave Richards, who recorded the final out of the ninth, earned the win, his first of the year. Chouinard took the loss, dropping his record to 2-3.

Nashua and Bridgeport play game two of their three game series tomorrow night at Historic Holman Stadium. With a win, the Pride can clinch at least a tie for the Atlantic League North Division's first half title. Game time is 6:35. Great seats are still available-for more information, call the Pride ticket office at 883-2255, log on to NashuaPride.com, or visit the Holman Stadium box office.



Canadian American League Stories from June 29, 2003


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