Redfish Mount Comeback, Stun Hounds

Published on June 18, 2007 under South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- The Charlotte County Redfish looked to make it three in a row and take home their 4th win in their last 5 games. They faced off against the Aiken Foxhounds at the Charlotte Sports Park Monday night. Aiken was in control for most of the evening using the long ball and solid starting pitching, but a game lasts nine innings and the Redfish used some extra ones as they stormed from behind to take home an exciting 6-5 victory.

Earl Smith was on the hill for Manager Cecil Fielder and pitched his best outing of the season. Smith sat down the Foxhound in order in both the 1st and 3rd innings. Smith threw 4.0 solid innings and only allowed 3 hits to the Foxhounds hitters and made only one mistake, a 2 run homerun off the bat of Foxhounds catcher, Jeff Timmons. He also struck out 3 and allowed no walks, a major accomplishment for the young pitcher.

Brian Grijalva, the Foxhounds starter, kept the Redfish bats relatively quiet. He allowed only 1 run to cross the plate on 5 hits. The Foxhounds also got good relief from Gary Lee with 3.0 scoreless innings and 2 strikeouts. Aiken padded their lead in the top of the 8th with a solo shot by Kelly Hunt off Redfish reliever Yanier Manso and the game appeared to be in the hands of the Foxhounds as they led it 5-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th.

The Redfish bullpen kept them in the ball game as they set down the Foxhounds in order in the 6th, 7th and 9th innings. The four relievers used by Fielder combined to pitch 5.0 innings with 3 ER on 3 hits. They also had 5 Ks. The Redfish, whether it is new a manager on the bench or just a drive to succeed, didn't go quietly as they came to bat in the bottom of the 9th.

Jose Gutierrez led off the inning cruising into second on a throwing error by Aiken third baseman, Chad Miller. Josh Murray sacrificed Gutierrez over to third, but there were two outs on the scoreboard. PJ Lehmann picked his first hit of the night and it couldn't have been bigger as he ripped an RBI double and the Redfish were down 5-2. William Plaza followed with a seeing eye RBI single to centerfield and the Redfish were within 2 runs. After Jeremy McCann reached first on an error to the Aiken shortstop, Billy Kovatch stepped to the plate and looked to be the hero again as he drove in the game winning RBI the night before. Kovatch did it again ripping a 2 RBI double down the leftfield scoring Plaza and McCann and the Redfish came all the way and tied it at 5.

Aristedes Almenar (1-0) shutdown the Foxhounds in order in the extra frame as he forced two fly-outs to center and struck out Hunt. Charlotte County, still fired up from the rally in the ninth, got a bunt single and stolen base from Millard Dawson. Gutierrez plunged the Redfish faithful into hysteria with the game winning RBI single to the right field corner that Aiken's Tim Sweeney didn't even bother to chase after and the Redfish won it 6-5.

The Redfish look to extend their current winning streak to 4 and three-in-a-row for new manger Cecil Fielder against the Aiken Foxhounds tomorrow, June 19th. It will be "Bark at the Park Night". First pitch 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!

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South Coast League Stories from June 18, 2007


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