Sports stats



AA St. Paul Saints

Songco's 100th Career Homer Propels Saints to a 7-5 Comeback Victory

July 8, 2015 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (July 8, 2015) - The St. Paul Saints haven't needed to come from behind in many games this season. They spotted the Ottawa Champions a four run lead on Thursday night, but scored seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings, including Angelo Songco's 100th career homer, as the Saints won 7-5 in front of 7,980 at CHS Field. The Saints improved to 35-10 on the season and have a 15.0 game lead in the North Division.

The Champions jumped on Saints starter Kramer Sneed in the first inning for four runs. Albert Cartwright led off with a walk. A sacrifice bunt by Roberto Ramirez moved Cartwright to second. Sebastian Boucher made it 1-0 with an RBI single to center. Mike Schwartz singled to center and Bryce Massanari made it 3-0 with a two-run double. With two outs Alex Nunez walked and Chris Winder made it 4-0 with an RBI single to right.

Sneed settled down long enough to allow his offense to get him the lead as they put up five in the fourth. With one out Ian Gac walked and Songco followed with a double to put runners at second and third. Mike Kvasnicka's groundout scored Gac to make it 4-1. The Saints loaded the bases on back-to-back walks to Joey Paciorek and Anthony Phillips. Dan Kaczrowski made it 4-3 with a two-run double. The next hitter, Alonzo Harris, gave the Saints a 5-4 lead with a two-run single.

The Champions tied it in the fifth with Mike Schwartz at first and one out, Massanari doubled him to third. Jon Talley's sacrifice fly scored Schwartz.

Songco, however, made sure it wasn't tied for long. In the bottom of the inning Gac doubled and Songco drilled a two-run shot over the right field wall, his seventh of the season and 100th of his seven year career. He has hit 23 homers in his Saints career over the last season and a half.

In the eighth Songco, a triple shy of the cycle, roped one to straightaway center. As he hit second, he slowed down, but started to take off for third when the relay throw was bobbled, but was thrown out. He finished the night 4-4 with two doubles, a homer, two RBI and two runs scored.

The bullpen did the rest as Dylan Chavez, Mike Zouzalik and Ryan Rodebaugh tossed the final 3.0 innings allowing just two hits and striking out four. Rodebaugh picked up his 10th save of the season.

While Sneed didn't have his best outing of the season he still improved to 8-1, becoming the first American Association pitcher to reach eight wins. He went 6.0 innings allowing five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out one.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the four game series on Thursday night at CHS Field at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Jeff Shields (6-0, 3.52) to the mound against Champions RHP Wilmer Font (3-2, 6.18). It's the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future presented by virtuwell. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network, cable access channels in the Twin Cities area, heard on Club 1220 KLBB and in the ballpark on 97.9 FM.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...

American Association Stories from July 8, 2015


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