Redfish Victorious in Sunshine Series Finale

Published on August 9, 2007 under South Coast League (SCL)
Charlotte County Redfish News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, FL- The Redfish hoped that a full ballgame would be the solution to their recent woes against the Bradenton Juice. After falling both doubleheaders, Charlotte County used Mike Muscato's and Brad Thoma's first professional homeruns to push them ahead and Andy Polk threw 3 solid innings to notch his professional win as the Redfish wrapped up the Sunshine State Series, presented by Fairchild Roofing, 5-3.

Ryan Amason took the hill for Redfish and was strong in just his 3rd start of the season. Amason struck out 4 batters in this first 2 innings of work and only allowed 2 hit and 4 base runners and left them all stranded.

The Redfish got Amason a lead to work with in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Brad Thoma drilled a double off the left centerfield wall and Billy Kovatch brought him home on a RBI single to centerfield to give the‘Fish a 1-0 lead.

Bradenton got the scoreboard in the top of the 3rd inning due to defensive miscues. Willie James legged out an infield and an errant throw put him on second base. The Juice immediately took advantage as Al Corbeil singled to centerfield scoring James and the game was tied. Brenan Herrera put the Juice ahead as he scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded and it was 2-1.

The Redfish bounced right back as pinch-hitter Millard Dawson drew a 2-out walk off Juice starter Lavelle Morgan. Dawson stole his 19th base and got much more as he forced a bad throw from Mikela Olsen. The ball appeared to deflect off Dawson's helmet into leftfield and as Brendan O'Donnell came up slow with the ball, Dawson had already crossed the plate to tiethe game at 2.

Amason continued to pitch well as he got two quick groundouts to start the 4th inning. After James singled and Corbeil laced one into right field, Billy Kovatch sent a message to James as nailed him on a rope trying to score all the way from first base. However, the Juice was able to steal another run in the 5th. As Herrera broke for third base, catcher Mike Mucato's throw was just past Billy Hogan and Bradenton took a 3-2 lead. Amason finished the night with only 1 ER on 7 hits, 3 walks and 7 Ks.

Charlotte County didn't let Amason fall to 0-2 as Andy Polk shut down the Juice in the top of the 6th inning and Muscato made up for his error in a big way in the bottom of the frame. Muscato, who had caught the past 4 games in a row, used all his strength to drill a shot over the leftfield wall for his first professional home run and once again tie the ballgame.

The Redfish didn't look back as Polk continued to shine with a 1-2-3 7th inning and after the stretch Josh Murray took reliever Steve Alverson's pitch to the opposite field scoring Billy Hogan to give the Fish a 4-3 lead. Polk only allowed 1 hit in his 3 innings and nicely book ended his outing striking out Brendan O'Donnell for the 2nd time and the 4th time on the night for the the Redfish pitchers struck out O'Donnell 4 times on the night.

Brad Thoma, who played centerfield and later shortstop, came up to the plate to leadoff the bottom of the 8th inning and it was a memorable one. Thoma reached out and got enough off Alverson's pitch to put it over the right field wall for his first professional homerun and gave the ‘Fish a 5-3 lead. The Redfish went to the bullpen to try and close it and Aaron Easton came on in tight spot. Easton came on with two runners on base and just one out but he worked out of the jam getting a strikeout and a groundout to pick up his first save of the season and get Polk his first professional win.

The Redfish begin a 6 game road trip tomorrow night, return to action and the Charlotte Sports Park to take in state rivals the Bradenton Juice in the conclusion of the "Sunshine State" Rivalry Series presented by Fairchild Roofing. The teams continue their series with 2 7-innings games tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 7th. Game time is set for 5:05 PM with game two 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

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South Coast League Stories from August 9, 2007


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