SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Fall Short in Comeback Attempt

Published on April 14, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - The Hagerstown Suns (5-5) found themselves in a five run hole after three innings on Saturday night, but found a way to battle back to get the tying run aboard in the ninth, only to eventually fall 7-6 to the Delmarva Shorebirds (6-4) at Municipal Stadium.

The Suns began the bottom of the ninth by having the leadoff hitter in the inning, LF Wes Schill, walk. Center fielder J.R. Higley then grounded into a fielder's choice, which eliminated Schill from the base path and put Higley at first with one out. However, Higley wound up being doubled up at first after RF Will Piwnica-Worms lined out to second baseman Tucker Nathans.

It was Piwnica-Worms who drove in Schill with a single in the seventh to bring the Suns within a run. Schill had gotten aboard with a walk, stole second, and moved to third on a fly out by Higley. Higley was responsible for Hagerstown's run in the fifth to make it 7-5. He singled to center field after Schill had doubled, driving Schill home.

The Suns began clawing away at the five-run deficit in the fourth. With catcher Craig Manuel standing at second base and two outs, 3B Khayyan Norfork sent a double down the left field line. Left Fielder Anthony Vega booted the ball once he got to it, resulting in a two-base error that allowed Norfork to come all the way around and score to make it 7-4.

The Shorebirds began building their lead in the first, when they sent nine hitters to the plate against Suns starter RHP Ronald Pena (0-1). Delmarva totaled four runs on four hits and two walks in the inning, with the biggest hit coming off the bat of DH Nik Balog, who drove in two runs with a double to right.

The lead was 5-0 for the Shorebirds after the top of the second. Left fielder Anthony Vega led off the frame with a double to right. He moved to third when 2B Tucker Nathans grounded out to first, and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Joel Hutter. Each team put up two runs the following two half innings to keep the spread at five runs after the top of the third.

Pena suffered the loss for Hagerstown, lasting just three innings and giving up all seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two. RHP Branden Kline (1-0) got the win for Delmarva. He pitched five innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits. Kline walked four and struck out five. RHP Mychal Givens picked up his first save of the season by keeping the Suns off the board in the eighth and ninth.

The Suns wrap-up their four game series with the Shorebirds on Sunday April 14. Hagerstown will send RHP Pedro Encarnacion (0-0) to the mound for his second start of the season. He will square off against LHP Josh Hader (1-0) for Delmarva. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 14, 2013


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