Skyhawks Fall 8-4 at Skylands Park
July 23, 2010 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
Augusta, N.J. - Caleb Stewart was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a base on balls, but the Skyhawks (1-4 second half, 26-25 overall) dropped the second game of a four-game set at CenturyLink Field at Skylands Park to the visiting New Jersey Jackals (2-3, 21-30). The 8-4 loss is the Skyhawks' fourth consecutive defeat, and they now own sole possession of last place in the Can-Am League's second-half standings.
The Jackals jumped on Sussex starter Tim Stringer in the second inning when the right-hander surrendered back-to-back walks to eight-and-nine-hitters Angel Flores and Dan Betteridge with two out. The free passes setup a majestic, three-run homerun to right field by leadoff man Kevin Clark that cleared both tiers of advertisements behind the outfield fence and gave New Jersey an early 3-0 lead. The Skyhawks answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning.
Kris Sanchez singled, Ryan Boelsen doubled, Joe Persichina walked and Nick Giarraputo laced a two-RBI single all before New Jersey left-handed starter Luis Fernandez could record the first out in the home half of the second. The visitors caught a break, however, when Mike Megale grounded to Abraham Nunez and Joe Persichina was trapped in a rundown between third base and home plate. Persichina was tagged out heading toward third, and Giarraputo was also tagged trying to advance to third on the play. Kraig Binick then flew out to center field to end the threat.
Sussex loaded the bases in the next two innings but scratched across just one run on an RBI single by Caleb Stewart in the fourth that made it 3-3. Kraig Binick was erased attempting to score on the same single when umpire Richard Katz called him out on a controversial play at the plate to end the inning.
The tie would last until the seventh frame when Sussex reliever Kevin Gunter allowed a leadoff single to Travis Jones, hit Jabe Bergeron with the next pitch and then gave up a two-RBI single to Jacob Butler. Dan Betteridge added an RBI single four batters later to make it 6-3 before Tim Layden, the newest member of the Skyhawks, finished the inning by inducing a pop out from Kevin Clark. New Jersey added two insurance runs in the eighth on a two-run double by Jeff Grose. The Skyhawks mustered one run in the ninth and put the tying run in the on-deck circle after Stewart singled home Megale with two out, but Kris Sanchez struck out swinging to end the game.
Carl Loadenthal did not start in center field because of a slight groin pull, so Caleb Stewart played the outfield and Jonathan Gossard was tapped for the start at designated hitter. Gossard was 0-for-1 but walked four times in the loss.
New Jersey reliever Chris Vasami, signed only hours before game time, earned his first professional win by hurling 3.2 innings of one-run baseball out of the Jackals bullpen. Gunter absorbed the loss for the home team.
The in-state rivals continue their four-game series Saturday at 2:05 p.m.Sussex right-hander Jusef Frias (1-2, 5.75) takes on New Jersey left-hander Jayson Miller (0-0, 8.44) on Kids Fest Day at SkylandsPark. Tickets for the fun-filled afternoon are still available by phone at 973-300-1000 ext. 21.
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Canadian American League Stories from July 23, 2010
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