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Redfish Break Up No-Hitter, But Fall, 12-0

June 25, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- The Charlotte County Redfish and the Bradenton Juice began the 3rd installment of the "Sunshine State" Rivalry Series tonight at the Charlotte Sports Park with the Redfish serving as the road team. Early in the ballgame it seemed as if it would a pitchers duel but, by the end of the game, Rocky Collis, the Bradenton Juice starter, was an out away from making South Coast League history. Jose Gutierrez ripped a single up the middle for the only Redfish hit of the night as the Redfish were shutout, 12-0.

Aaron Easton (1-5) made his second start for the Redfish since being traded from the Anderson Joes. Easton seemed very comfortable as he struck out the first Juice batter he faced en route to perfect 1st and 2nd innings. Collis (2-3) got two strikeouts in his 1-2-3 first inning and got help from his defense as they turned a 6-4-3 double play after he gave up a leadoff walk to Josh Murray in the second.

After Juice shortstop, Brenan Herrera, reached on a single to left and stole second, Easton got a strike out and a groundout and with Herrara now on third, he appeared ready to head to dugout with the game still scoreless. The Juice extended the inning as Luke Barganier was hit-by-a-pitch. Julius Thames placed an RBI single to left and the Juice were up 1-0. Bradenton added 3 more runs before Easton struck out Zach Woodward to end the 3rd inning with the Juice up 4-0.

Easton threw one more inning and exited with 5 ER on 4 hits in 4.0 innings of work. He struck out 3 and walked 2, but it was Collis' night. Collis was in control and never let the Redfish get anything started as he tossed 5 1-2-3 innings on the night. "It takes me a while to get loose," said Collis after the game. "I feel better at the end of my games and the team played great defense."

The Juice gave Collis some extra run support with a 4-run 5th inning. Tommy Sutton, the young Redfish reliever and recent acquisition, had a stellar night of his own as the pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of middle relief for Manager Cecil Fielder. He caught Barganier looking to start the 6th and used his all 3 of his outfielders to each make an out in the 7th inning.

As the Redfish came to the plate in the top of the 9th, they were looking to not be on the wrong side of South Coast League history. Collis only needed one more out for a complete game no-hitter but Jose Gutierrez lined a single up the middle to break up the no-no. "The pitch before was a fastball and it felt pretty good," said Collis. "I hung a slider and I tried to throw a little too perfect. I wish I would have just kept throwing the fastball." Collis finished with a complete game 1-hit shutout with 2 walks and 11 Ks. "It's frustrating that I came that close," commented Collis after the game. Collis also gave some advice to young pitchers who might one day get as close or closer than he did tonight. "You got to stick with your approach. I didn't try to throw a no hitter out there and I nearly did."

The Redfish escaped being part of history and they look to bounce back against the Bradenton Juice tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 26th. Due to scheduling conflicts at the Bradenton Juice home facility, all of the remaining games of the Sunshine State Rivalry Series, presented by Fairchild Roofing, will be played at the Charlotte Sports Park with the Redfish and Juice alternating as the home and road team. 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!



South Coast League Stories from June 25, 2007


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