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Redfish Fall In Second Half Opener

July 10, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- The weather threatened and delayed the start of the 2nd half of the season for the Charlotte County Redfish and the Macon Music on Sunday night. Mother natured tried again but failed as the tarp was pulled and the grounds crew got Luther Williams Field ready for baseball. Both teams were looking to start the 2nd half off on a good note. Charlotte County was aggressive at the plate, on the base paths on defensively but Macon got the runs when it mattered most as they edged out the 'Fish 4-2.

Celson Polanco (0-2) made his second start of the season and matched up again Music hurler Nick Utley. Neither pitcher appeared to be effected by the rain and the delayed start. Utley didn't allow a Redfish runner until William Plaza was hit-by-a-pitch in the 2nd inning. The Music had two runners reach base in the 1st inning but Polanco got Scott Robinson to fly out to center and struck out 2 to end the threat.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Polanco had his defense prowess tested as Music centerfielder Rick Simpson hit a weak ground ball to the 1st base side of the mound. Polanco fielded the ball and attempted a tag before he flipped the ball, almost behind his back, to first baseman Aaron Simmons for the out.

The Redfish employed some aggressive base running in the top of the 4th inning. Billy Kovatch, who had 8 swiped bags coming into the ballgame, added two more to that total after he reached on a single. As he broke for third, he drew a errant throw from Music catcher Kyle Donovan and the Redfish were up 1-0.

With one out in the bottom of the 4th inning, Casey Garrison doubled to right and came around to score on a Rick Simpson single to right that was mishandled by Kovatch. Simpson wound up on third as a result of the error and the Music and the Redfish were tied at 1-1.

William Plaza picked up where he left off in the first half as he singled through the hole between first and second to lead off the 5th inning. He wouldn't be there for long as Aaron Simmons ripped a RBI double and the Redfish were back on top 2-1. Polanco continued his great performance as he set down the Music in order in the 5th inning with a little help from Billy Kovatch. Kovatch sacrificed his body to make a phenomenal catch on a line drive to right off the bat of Scott Robinson to end the inning. With one out in the 6th, a runner reached on an error but Polanco forced Macon to fly out twice to end the inning.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the 7th inning. Carlos Arroyo singled up the middle and on a 2-1 pitch, Dorian Rojas deposited a 2-run shot over the left-field wall and the Music led it for the first time, 3-2. Polanco threw 99 pitches in his 6.2 innings with 3 ER on 7 hits. Polanco was dominant as he struck out 4 and didn't allow any walks. Justin Ottman, Aaron Easton, and Aristedes came on in relief but couldn't stop Macon from cushioning their lead. The Music got back-to-back hits and back-to-back walks and added another run as they handed the Redfish a loss to start the second half.

The Redfish and the Music will play a double header on Tuesday, July 10th. Both games will be 7 innings with the first game starting at 6:05 PM and Game 2 beginning 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1. 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 July 10, 2007


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