AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Roll In Exhibition Opener

Published on May 4, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


MIESVILLE, MN (May 3, 2009) - The St. Paul Saints knocked off the long winter rust and got their exhibition season underway with a 13-2 victory over the Cannon Valley All-Stars at historic Jack Ruhr Field in Miesville, MN in front of 1,505 fans.

The Saints, who have a potent offense, showed it in the first inning. Lead off hitter Daron Roberts reached on an infield single to third, stole second and went to third on a pick off attempt by former Boston Red Sox pitcher and current Saints color commentator, Dana Kiecker. Todd Self drove in Roberts with a sacrifice fly to left. The next hitter, former Major Leaguer Craig Brazell, gave the Saints a 3-0 lead with a towering two-run homer to dead center.

The Saints sent 10 men to the plate in the third and plated four runs as they loaded the bases with two walks and a single. Ole Sheldon drew a bases loaded walk to make it 4-0 and Tony Mansolino, who hit .389 in his month with the Saints in 2008 before the Philadelphia Phillies purchased his contract, singled home two runs to make it 6-0. Mansolino finished the day 3-5 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. The final run of the inning scored when Roberts reached on a fielding error by the shortstop which scored Sheldon.

The Saints pitching staff looked sharp, including 2008 ace Charlie Ruud. In front of friends, family and even pitching against friends, he hurled 3.0 scoreless innings allowing one hit while striking out four.

Former Major Leaguer Kerry Ligtneberg tossed 1.0 inning of perfect relief while striking out two. He is attempting to make the club and pitch professionally for the first time since 2006 when he was at Triple-A Iowa.

The Saints will play their second exhibition game of the season on Monday night at 6:00 p.m. against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks in Fargo, ND.

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American Association Stories from May 4, 2009


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