SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Scoma, GreenJackets Sting RiverDogs, Augusta Wins Series, 11-6

Published on May 23, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - Ryan Scoma went 2-for-5 with a career-best five RBI, including a grand slam that highlighted Augusta's seven-run fourth inning, as the GreenJackets bested the RiverDogs, 11-6, in South Atlantic League action Monday afternoon in front of a largely-youthful crowd of 6,058 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Education Day 2011.

The RiverDogs dropped their third straight game in falling to 20-25, while Augusta took the four-game series outright with the triumph, improving to 19-26.

Charleston starter Zach Nuding and Augusta starter Mike Kickham traded zeros for the first two innings, before the GreenJackets broke through in the third against Nuding for a 3-0 lead, with all runs coming after two outs on four consecutive hits.

Chris Lofton singled to left field to start the rally and scored all the way from first on a RBI single to right-centerfield by Carlos Willoughby. Willoughby stole second base and came plateward on Ehire Adrianza's RBI single that glanced off the glove of a diving Slade Heathcott in centerfield. Following an Adrianza stolen base and a Charleston throwing error, Adrianza touched home on Scoma's RBI double off the right-centerfield warning track to complete the frame.

The RiverDogs awoke from their Monday morning slumber in the bottom half against Kickham, notching a run on two hits to cut the deficit to 3-1. Heathcott reached on a one-out throwing error, and Anderson Feliz drove him home with a RBI double to the left-centerfield wall.

Augusta continued to rip up the pea patch in the fourth, posting seven runs for a 10-1 cushion, as the first six batters of the inning reached base against Nuding.

Devin Harris singled, Rafael Rodriguez doubled and Bobby Haney walked to load the bags for Jesus Navarro. The Augusta back stop reached on a throwing error that resulted in two of the three runners scoring, upping the advantage to 5-1. Nuding then walked Lofton and Willoughby in succession, with the latter free pass forcing Haney home from third.

After a strikeout, Scoma launched 2-1 offering from reliever Mike Recchia over the right-field wall for his first grand slam of the year to increase the margin to 10-1.

Nuding (4-4) worked just 3.0 innings plus in absorbing his second straight loss, while allowing a career-high nine runs on seven hits, with four walks and a punchout. The Fort Worth, Tex. native has now lost four of his last five starts after winning three straight in late April.

Lofton gave Augusta a run for the third straight inning, lining a RBI single to right field to score Haney - who doubled to start the stanza - and make the count 11-1 GreenJackets in the fifth inning.

Kickham (1-1) worked a season-high 6.0 innings in his third start of the campaign, permitting only a run on four base hits, issuing two walks and whiffing a season-best eight batters. The former sixth round pick out of Missouri State did not give up a hit after the third inning while just one RiverDog got into scoring position over that span.

After four straight hitless frames, the RiverDogs found daylight against reliever Seth Rosin in the eighth, lighting the scoreboard four times as the deficit shrunk to 11-5.

Heathcott and Feliz knocked consecutive singles, while J.R. Murphy walked to fill the bases. Kyle Roller laced a RBI single to right field, trimming the score to 11-2. Jose Toussen's RBI fielder's choice brought home another RiverDog, while a throwing error forced home a second tally for an 11-4 score. Toussen took third on a wild pitch and was awarded home on Ramon Flores' RBI single.

Charleston made one final charge in the ninth inning, inching closer at 11-6 on Feliz's sacrifice fly that scored Heathcott, who tripled down the right-field chalk to start the inning. Edward Concepcion also allowed a two-out double to J.R. Murphy, his league-leading 16th of the year, but recorded the final out for the victory.

Heathcott led Charleston with a 3-for-5 day scoring three of the RiverDogs' six runs, while Feliz drove in a pair of runs in going 2-for-5, and Murphy chipped in two hits as well. Recchia, Tommy Kahnle and Kelvin Perez tossed 6.0 combined innings of relief for the RiverDogs, letting just two runs score.

BALLPARK FUN: The RiverDogs hosted Education Day 2011, as Charleston area school-children filled Riley Park on Education Day for some matinee hardball. Over 6,000 children representing over 70 schools were on-hand to not just watch some Sally League baseball, but also learn on a gorgeous afternoon in the Lowcountry, as PA announcer Ken Carrington performed magic tricks and scientific experiments to the wonderment of all.

UP NEXT: Charleston enjoys an off day on Tuesday before embarking on a seven-game road trip beginning Wednesday with a four-game series against the Hickory Crawdads, a Texas Rangers affiliate. Right-hander Shane Greene (2-3, 5.00 ERA) gets the ball for Charleston in the series lid-lifter, while Hickory is expected to counter with right-hander Nick Tepesch (0-2, 3.45 ERA).

Let the RiverDogs' "Build Your Own Hot Dog" theme satisfy your palate as Charleston returns home from an eight-game road trip on Wednesday, June 1, versus the Rome Braves. For $20, one can eat to his/her hearts - or stomachs - content in the comfort of the Ashley View Pub. All-you-can-eat hot dogs will be accompanied by 8-10 toppings, potato salad, baked beans, chips, and all-you-can-drink beer (Busch Lite). Seniors Eat Free allows our most senior fans 65 and older to enjoy a free hot dog, chips and Pepsi products all while keeping their wallets fat. It will also be Fitness Night at The Joe, so come ready to work off those hot dogs.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 23, 2011


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