Sports stats



Redfish Blanked by Peanuts

July 27, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- The Charlotte County Redfish and the South Georgia were locked in another pitcher early before the rain came. The Peanuts jumped on top after the delay and though the Redfish notched 12 hits, they couldn't push any runners across as they fell 3-0.

Through the first 3 innings, Celson Polanco (0-5) and Dustin Taylor matched each other stride for stride. Both teams had runners reach base but quickly caught them stealing and got out of the inning having faced the minimum number of batters. Polanco worked a perfect 2nd inning that included a fantastic defense stop by Redfish third baseman Billy Hogan and stranded a pair in the 3rd inning. Hogan did it at the bat as well putting one through right side of the infield and advanced all the way to third but was left stranded and the game was scoreless through 3 innings.

Lighting in the distance caused the tarp to be pulled just in time as the skies opened up before the teams could begin the 4th inning. After an hour and four-minute rain delay that included the field lights momentarily going out, the grounds crew prepped the field and the teams were ready for baseball once again.

Polanco again took to the hill to start the top of the 4th inning and Doc Brooks was waiting for him. Brooks didn't make it a happy return as he put a ball over the left-field wall and gave the Peanuts a 1-0 lead. Polanco then settled down to set the next 3 in order with 2 strikeouts.

The Redfish looked as though they'd bounce right back in the bottom of the frame against Peanuts' reliever Mike Colacchio. Hogan ripped a double to the gap in right to start the inning. William Plaza, who moved into second overall in the league in batting, blooped a single into single and the ‘Fish had runners on the corners. The Peanuts caught Plaza on a 1-3-6 rundown and got Jose Gutierrez swinging as Hogan was stranded again.

Polanco worked a 1-2-3 5th inning but didn't last past the 6th inning as the Peanuts got 2 runs on 3 hits to take a 3-0 lead. It could've been more but Billy Kovatch nailed Joey Hooft trying to score from second on a two hop 9-2 putout. Polanco worked 5.1 innings with 3 ER on 6 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Charlotte County's reliever again kept their team in the ballgame. Michael Oberg, Mike Rigazio, Tommy Sutton and Aristedes Almenar were stellar as they combined for 3.2 innings and allowed only 5 hits, struck out 4 and only allowed 2 free passes. The Redfish offense, which got the leadoff man on in all but 3 innings, could push any runners across. Hogan picked up his 3rd leadoff hit with a single in the 6th inning but a 6-4-3 double play erased him and any scoring chance. With runners on second and third after a perfect sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Jared Williams, South Georgia's bullpen got a strikeout and a fly-out to stymie the bats again.

In the bottom of the 9th inning against Peanuts' closer Drew Shetrone, the Redfish again seemed that they would notch a run and even stage a late comeback. Plaza ripped a double that hugged the first base line and Gutierrez flared one over the second baseman to put runners on the corners. Williams drew a 1-out walk to load the bases putting the tying run on base with the winning run at the plate. Mike Muscato came up to pinch-hit but Shetrone sent the blue and red faithful home unhappy as he got ground ball to shortstop Johnny Washington who turned 6-3 game ending double play.

The teams combined for 22 hits and stranded 19 runners. The Redfish stranded 10 with 8 runners in scoring position. The Redfish will try and notch a win as they close out the series against the Peanuts tomorrow night, July 28th. Game time is set for 7:05 PM. All Redfish games can be heard on 1070 AM WKII and online at www.redfishbaseball.com. For more information, check out www.redfishbaseball.com. Charlotte County Redfish Baseball - Reel in the Fun

• Discuss this story on the South Coast League message board...

South Coast League Stories from July 27, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Charlotte County Redfish Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central