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Redfish stumble late for second straight night

July 14, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- Charlotte County looked to claim their first series of the second half as they took on the Anderson Joes in the rubber game of the series. Celson Polonco was on the hill and was in control early, but the Redfish relief couldn't close it out as the Joes rallied in the top of the 9th and toppled the ‘Fish 8-6.

Polanco got his night off to a great start striking out 2 in a 1-2-3 1st inning. As they've done in the past couple of the games, the Redfish provided their starter with run support early. Jared Williams, a new acquisition of the Redfish and formerly of the Anderson Joes, picked up his first hit in a Redfish uniform with a single that got inside the third base bag. The Redfish put together a string of 4 consecutive hits as PJ Lehmann, Josh Murray, and Billy Kovatch all singled. As Kovatch singled dropped into to centerfield, Lehmann and Murray were right on top of each other rounding third. The throw came in but Murray appeared to get under the tag of Joes catcher Tanner Rogers. Joes Manager Desi Wilson came out to contest the call with home plate umpire Jamie Van Deusen and when the discussion was over he was walking back to his clubhouse with a ejection. When the dust settled the Redfish had a 3-0 lead.

Polanco took the 3-run cushion and continued to shutdown the Joes bats. Polanco had another 1-2-3 in the 2nd inning adding a strikeout to his total. Polanco also got some help from his defense as Jose Gutierrez sacrificed his body as he laid out to take a hit away from Howard to end the top of the 3rd inning. The Joes got to Polanco in the top of the 4th inning and tied the game. Hector Borg and Tanner Rogers reached on a back-to-back singles and Richard Quihuis-Bell brought them home as he homered just over the right center-field wall to tie the game at 3.

Joes starter Daniel Howard kept the Redfish off the board in the 5th inning but the Charlotte County bats didn't stay silent as Billy Kovatch came to the plate in the 6th inning. Kovatch singled up the middle but he didn't stay there for long as he stole his 14th and 15th bases of the season and found his way to third base. After Jason Hurst walked, William Plaza, who has continued to stay one of the top hitters in the South Coast League, grounded back to Howard who tried to turn a double play. The umpires were presented with another close call but the end result had Hurst standing on second and Plaza on first with a RBI to put the Redfish ahead 4-3 and end Howard's night.

Polanco ended his night after he saw his Redfish take the lead and put him in position for the win. He finished with 6.0 stellar innings with 3 ER on 7 hits. Polanco added 6 Ks, a single game high, and still hasn't surrendered a walk. With Howard out of the game with 5.0 innings, 4 ER on 6 hits and 4 free passes, the Redfish went after the Anderson relief in the 7th inning. Jared Williams led-off with a walk and Billy Kovatch, who finished the night 2-for-3, reached on a walk of his to put two on with two outs for Hurst. One of the hottest hitters, Hurst came through with a RBI single to put the Redfish up 5-2. Plaza finished his night right with a solo homerun and the Redfish seemed to be on their way with a 6-3 lead.

The Joes though came through again in the top of 9th. Anderson put 4 runs on the scoreboard the night before and topped it tonight. Kevin Noles dropped in a single against Williams and Heath Keel reached on a check swing single that landed behind first base. Charlotte County relief couldn't get out of the jam as Aristedes Almenar threw away a possible double-play ball that plated Noles. Another batter and another error brought home another run and the Joes tied the game at 6. Aristedes Almenar suffered his 3rd consecutive blown save and Aaron Easton came on in relief. Pinch-hitter Billy Hogan drove home two to give the Joes the lead at 7-6. Brandon Carter reached on a fielder's choice and came in to score on a botched intentional walk of Quihuis-Bell as the Joes handed the Redfish a 8-6 defeat.

The Redfish will look to rebound against a familiar foe as the Macon Music come to town tomorrow, July 15th, for a three game series. It will be "Firefighter Appreciation Night" with logo ball giveaway, presented by Peace River Medical Center. First pitch will be at 6:05 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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