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Spirit beat Elmira 8-6 in series opener

July 28, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
North Shore Spirit News Release


Alex Trezza launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, capping a furious comeback effort and leading the Spirit to an 8-6 victory over Elmira in the series opener on Thursday night.

Trezza's tenth home run of the season pulled the Spirit to 5-6 in the second half, and dropped Elmira to a matching record.

The Pioneers had jumped out to a six-run lead in the game, but the Spirit fought their way back from the early deficit and evened the score late in the game. They took their first lead of the game on Trezza's game-winning shot.

Jarrett Sues (1-1) earned the win for the Spirit, and Alez Herrera picked up the save. Kyle George (1-2) took the loss for the Pioneers. Although he didn't factor in the decision, Spirit reliever Joey Siak was the best pitcher of the night.

Spirit starter pitcher Ryan McCally had struggled in just his second start of the season as Elmira exploded for 11 hits and six runs through the first two innings of play. He lasted just 11/3 innings before giving way to Siak.

Tapping the bullpen early, the Spirit needed solid innings from Siak and he didn't disappoint. He kept North Shore in this game, pitching 5 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just four hits while striking out six.

Things didn't get off to a promising start for Siak and the Spirit. Elmira grabbed three hits in the first inning, but couldn't get anything across the plate. The Spirit couldn't escape the Pioneers' attack in the second, however, as Elmira scored six runs on eight hits. Trey Beamon and Das Jesson had two RBI apiece in the inning.

Former Spirit catcher Onix Mercado got things started with a double, and scored the Pioneers' first run on a fielders' choice from T. Suzuki. Jesson sent two more runners home with an RBI double scored two batters later on Jesson's two-run single. Mercado knocked in Elmira's sixth run with his second double of the inning.

The Sprit answered Elmira in the bottom half the inning, cutting the Pioneers' lead in half with three runs of their own. After singles from Travis Oglesbee and Brian Macchi, Andy Howdeshell laced a two-run triple to center to put the Spirit on the board. Marcos Agramonte sent Howdeshell home on a groundout to second to close out the Spirit scoring in the inning.

Elmira starter George Keagle held North Shore scoreless for the next two innings, but the Spirit rallied for two more runs in the fifth. After Garrett Weir got on with a walk, Vic Davilla smashed a two-run home run, his 14th long ball of the season.

The Spirit completed their comeback in the seventh inning, evening things up at six. Yuri Sanchez led off the inning with a double. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Weir and scored on a bloop single from Rob Fischer. The Spirit had a chance to take their first lead of the game, but Fischer was doubled off second base on a flyout from Vic Davilla to end the inning.

Ryan Bicandoa gets the start for the Spirit tomorrow night in the second game of the series. Game time is 7 p.m at the New Fraser Field.

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