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Redfish Victorious As They Return Home

August 17, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- The Redfish returned to the Charlotte Sports Park hoping that home would be the solution to their recent 6 game skid. A pitcher's duel early was disrupted by rain and when the clouds cleared, the teams each notched a run. When the Redfish batted in the 8th inning, back-to-back RBI singles put the 'Fish up and and great performance by Andy Polk gave the 'Fish a 3-1 win.

Celson Polanco took the hill against Chase Leatherwood and the two starters were locked in a phenomenal pitcher's duel early. Polanco retired the first 5 batters he faced before Kevin Noles placed a 2-out single into leftfield in the 2nd inning. This didn't faze Polanco as he set down the next 7 in row to leave Noles stranded and the Joes off the board.

Leatherwood matched Polanco's great start with a perfect start of his own. Leatherwood retired his first 5 batters before Aaron Simmons reached on a strikeout and passed ball. Not to be outdone by Polanco, Leatherwood set down the next 7 batters he faced and the game was scoreless heading into the 5th inning.

The Redfish (8-24, 20-57) finally reached Leatherwood to start the 5th inning as Jason Hurst singled through the left side. The skies quickly and unexpectedly opened up and the tarp covered the field for nearly an hour. When the field was ready for play, Aaron Simmons came up facing reliever Tyler Addison. After a stolen base and wild pitch found Hurst on 3rd, Simmons singled past Hector Borg playing in to give the 'Fish a 1-0 lead.

Leatherwood and Polanco couldn't finish what they started as each pitcher exited after the delay. Leatherwood finished the night having gone 4.1 innings with 1 ER on 1 hit, no walks and 6 Ks. Polanco went into the 5th inning and allowed just 2 hits and added 2 Ks.

Anderson (17-17, 30-49) got right back into ballgame the next inning against reliever Andy Polk (2-0). Brandon Carter singled up the middle and came around to score to tie the game as Brad Thoma threw away a Rafael Alverez ground ball. Polk wouldn't allow the Joes to get anything else started as he went on to toss 3.0 innings with 2 hits, 1 BB, 1 K and no earned runs.

After a scoreless 7th inning, pinch-hitter Jared Williams reached on a Kevin Noles error with 2 outs in the 8th. The Joes intentionally walked Billy Kovatch to go after PJ Lehmann and Lehmann came through with a RBI single off the glove of Carter to give the 'Fish a 2-1 lead. Former Joe, Billy Hogan, finished his 2-4 night off right with a RBI single of his own and the 'Fish had a 3-1 lead heading into the 9th inning.

Denny Gomez, who activated himself to pitch while the Redfish were on the road, entered the game looking to pick up his first save for Charlotte County and the first for the team in 6 games. Gomez, who worked out a base-loaded jam when he made his debut in Aiken, was in a tight spot again as an error, a fielder's choice and walk had them loaded with Joes. Gomez got Tanner Rogers looking and got pinch-hitter Rafael Diaz to pop-out to end it and reel in a 3-1 victory, snapping the 4th 6 game skid of the season.

The Redfish look to continue to right their ship as they face the Anderson Joes in the second game of the series tomorrow, August 17th. The Redfish send Ryan Amason (0-2) to the hill to take on Joes' southpaw Jan Granado (6-3). 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.

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