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EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Grab Opener from Senators, 4-2

June 21, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


HARRISBURG, PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (35-34) used the long-ball to turn back the Harrisburg Senators (39-30), 4-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Metro Bank Park on Tuesday night.

The Senators got out as quickly as they could against Squirrels' right-hander Henry Sosa. On the second pitch of the game from Sosa, left-handed batting Josh Johnson pulled a solo-home run to right field. Johnson's fifth of the season gave Harrisburg an early 1-0 advantage.

After a quiet start, Richmond responded with a two-out flurry in the third against Harrisburg right-hander Shairon Martis. Charlie Culberson ignited the Squirrels with a double into the right-field alley. Roger Kieschnick followed and lifted a two-run home run to right field to give the Squirrels a 2-1 lead. Chris Dominguez doubled to add a third consecutive extra-base hit, but he was stranded at third base as the inning ended. Kieschnick's seventh home run of the season tied him with Johnny Monell for the team lead.

Sosa settled in following Johnson's home run, and kept the Senators at bay through the fifth inning. He found trouble in the sixth inning, and was removed in favor of Hector Correa after 5 1/3 innings. Correa cleaned up the inning, as the Senators stranded the bases loaded. Sosa (3-0) earned the win, allowing just the lone run on six hits. He walked one and struck out a season-high seven.

Richmond padded their lead against Martis in the seventh. Correa sparked the rally, doubling through the alley in right-center field. It was Correa's first professional hit in his first professional at-bat. Juan Perez then flared an RBI single into right field and Correa scampered in for a 3-1 lead.

Martis (4-3) departed to the loss after 6 1/3 innings, conceding three earned runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out eight, saddled with his third loss despite the quality-start.

Monell capped the scoring for the Squirrels as he led off the ninth inning with a solo-home run to left-center field off of left-hander Cory VanAllen. The blast, Monell's eighth, allowed him to reclaim the team lead that Kieschnick had equaled earlier in the ballgame.

Correa worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, and bridged the gap from Sosa to the ninth inning. In the ninth, the Squirrels turned to right-hander and closer Jason Stoffel. His first pitch was decked to right field by Derek Norris, the solo-home run pulling the Senators within a pair of runs. Stoffel rebounded to finish the win and earn his 12th save of the season.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Metro Bank Park on Wednesday afternoon. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (5-4, 3.75) will make the start for the Flying Squirrels against RHP Tanner Roark (4-2, 6.00) for the Senators. Pregame coverage begins at 11:30 AM, and can be heard on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.

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