EL1 Harrisburg Senators

Senators sweep Akron in doubleheader

Published on May 20, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Harrisburg Senators News Release


In front of 6,187 at Commerce Bank Park on Saturday night the Senators swept the doubleheader from the Akron Aeros. The Sens won game one 5-4 and in game two they pulled out a 7-6 win in extra innings.

The Senators received a two-run home run from Josh Whitesell and one from Rich Lane to take a 4-0 lead. Justin Echols and Roy Corcoran made the lead stand up, as the Senators hung on for a 5-4 win.

In game two, Danny Rueckel started making his second spot start of the season, and his third career start. Rueckel gave the Sens four solid innings, allowing three runs but pitching out of trouble in three of the four innings. Kory Casto had an RBI double in the first, Josh Emmerick an RBI single in the third, but the Senators found themselves down 4-2 going into the bottom of the sixth. Ian Desmond and Jesus Feliciano both singled with one out bringing up Melvin Dorta. Dorta greeted reliever Travis Foley by hitting a three-run home run giving the Senators a 5-4 lead. Devin Perrin came on to close the game, but the Aeros were able to push across a run in the seventh to tie the game. Akron then took the lead in the eighth 6-5 setting the stage for more dramatics by the Senators.

In the bottom of the eighth, Dorta drew a one-out walk then moved to second on a ground out by Casto. The next hitter, Frank Diaz, then came to the plate. Diaz had been in a slump with just three hits in his previous 23 at bats, but Diaz connected on a 1-0 pitch driving it deep over the left field fence for a two-run walk-off home run giving the Senators the 7-6 win.

It was the second walk-off home run for the Senators this season. With the doubleheader sweep the Senators have now won four straight games for the fourth time this season, and have caught the Akron Aeros in the standings. The Senators are now 23-18 overall and 18-5 at home.

The four-game series wraps up on Sunday afternoon at 1:05pm with RHP Beltran Perez going for the Senators against RHP Sean Smith for the Aeros. The game can be heard beginning at 12:45pm on 1460 The Ticket with the pre-game show, and as always on Sunday, the pre-game show interview will be with manager John Stearns.

Check out the Harrisburg Senators Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from May 20, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central