Skyhawks Win Wild One To Snap Four-game Losing Skid
August 13, 2010 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
Augusta, N.J. - Joe Persichina was 3-for-4 with two RBI, one walk and one run scored and was named the National Guard Defensive Player of the Game on Friday night as the Skyhawks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-5, come-from-behind win over the visiting Quebec Capitales at CenturyLink Field at Skylands Park. Newly signed Sussex right-hander Trevor Marcotte started for the Skyhawks and allowed two runs over 5.2 innings pitched, striking out three along the way.
A wild pitch in the first allowed Quebec shortstop Ivan Naccarata to score and give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage, but Marcotte kept the Capitales close and found run support from the Sussex offense in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, Quebec southpaw Troy Cate was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Matt Criss after Criss went out to the mound to break up a conference between Cate and his batterymate, Marc Mimeault. Reliever James Kukucka came in with a 2-0 count to Sussex designated hitter Caleb Stewart after the ejection and surrendered a game-tying walk, which was charged to Cate. Kris Sanchez and Nick Giarraputo backed up Stewart's free pass with a two-run single and one-run double, respectively, putting the home team ahead 4-1 after three.
It would be another three innings before the Skyhawks registered a hit. In the interim, the Capitales scored three times in the sixth on two hits, two walks, a wild pitch and an error to tie the score at four. Then in the top half of the seventh, the first-half champions used a two-out double from Sebastien Boucher and a follow-up RBI single from Pierre-Luc LaForest off of Sussex right-handed reliever Kevin Gunter to take their first lead of the game.
The Skyhawks offense perked up in the bottom half of the inning, however, as Persichina followed Kraig Binick's leadoff single with an RBI triple to right field to tie the score. Quebec left-hander Giuseppe Granitto managed to shut down the Sussex attack for the remainder of the frame, leaving the game tied at five through seven innings.
But Persichina was not done. His two-out, RBI single in the eighth off of right-hander Michel Simard (6-5) pushed across the eventual game-winning run, and he capped off his stellar performance with a double play and game-ending assist in the ninth to wrap up the 6-5 victory.
Left-handed reliever Jared Locke (6-5) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings out of the Skyhawks bullpen to earn the win. Right-hander Duaner Sanchez closed in the ninth and picked up his 15th save of the season.
The Skyhawks (7-18 second half, 32-39 overall) and Capitales (14-10, 44-27) continue their four-game series on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. at Skylands Park. Right-hander Mike Vicaro (4-2, 4.47) starts for Sussex and opposes Quebec right-hander Dan Sausville (6-4, 3.44). Visit Hawk Watch at www.sussexskyhawks.wordpress.com for a live, play-by-play blog of all the action starting ten minutes prior to game time.
We're constantly adding new events and promotions to our schedule, so visit our website at www.sussexskyhawks.com for updates. For more information about promotions mentioned above or to reserve tickets, contact the Skyhawks' office at 973-300-1000.
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Canadian American League Stories from August 13, 2010
- Skyhawks Win Wild One To Snap Four-game Losing Skid - Sussex Skyhawks
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