Skyhawks Edge Tornadoes, Even Series
Published on September 4, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Augusta, NJ -- Matt Weagle pitched brilliantly in a complete game effort, but the Tornadoes bats were unable to muster enough offense, as the Sussex Skyhawks evened the best-of-five series at one win apiece with a 3-2 victory at Skylands Park on Thursday night.
Much like Game One, Game Two featured terrific pitching on both ends, as the game remained scoreless into the bottom of the 4th inning. Jorge Moreno led off the frame with a groundball to third base that got by Mike MacMillan down the leftfield line, but was scored a double. Moreno moved to third on a Matthew Weston groundout and scored on a Mario Delgado sacrifice fly to right, putting Sussex up 1-0. The lead was short-lived, as Jeff LaHair drew a walk from Sussex righty Justin Knoff (1-0) to begin the 5th inning, then scored all the way from first on a Scott Grimes double down the leftfield line. One out later, Grimes would cross the plate on a Chris Colabello RBI double to left, past the drawn-in infield, putting Worcester on top, 2-1.
But Sussex came right back in the bottom of the 5th inning. Alex Frazier and Yohanny Valera hit back-to-back singles and Jay Yaconetti sacrificed the runners to second and third base, respectively. Leadoff man Ron Perodin followed with a chopper towards short that took a terrible hop and went flying past Chuck Jeroloman into leftcenter, scoring both runners and giving the Skyhawks the lead once again, this time at 3-2. Worcester would be able to get no closer, as the Tornadoes managed just two singles the rest of the way after their two-run 5th.
Knoff (1-0) was the winner and Weagle (0-1), the Can-Am League leader in complete games with 6 during the regular season, took the loss despite allowing just 6 hits and 1 walk in 8 outstanding innings. Matt Petrusek pitched a scoreless 9th for his 1st save of the postseason. The victory was the first postseason win in Skyhawks history and the defeat snapped the Tornadoes seven-game playoff winning streak. The series shifts to Worcester on Friday night, as the Tornadoes try to win a pivotal Game Three. Righty Junior Guerrero will make the start for the Tornadoes and he will be opposed by Skyhawks righthander Gary Galvez. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Canadian American League Stories from September 4, 2008
- Surf Can't Hold Lead, Capitales Take Game Two - Atlantic City Surf
- Can-Am Playoff Recap - Can-Am
- Skyhawks Edge Tornadoes, Even Series - Worcester Tornadoes
- Grimes Named Can-Am League Player Of The Year - Worcester Tornadoes
- Grimes Selected As 2008 Player Of The Year - Can-Am
- Falu, Thigpen, and Dunn all named to Can-Am League All-Star Team - Brockton Rox
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