SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Overtake BayBears in Eighth

Published on July 3, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


Jacksonville, Fla. - Joey Norrito scattered five hits in an eight inning start while David Nicholson scored on a two-out passed ball in the bottom of the eighth to break a 2-2 tie, giving the Jacksonville Suns (53-33, 12-4) a 3-2 Tuesday night victory over the Mobile BayBears (46-40, 9-7) in front of 8,192 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

With the win the Suns stayed at least tied for first place in the second half South Division race.

The BayBears took a third inning lead on Suns starter Joey Norrito when Ronnie Merrill hit his second homerun of the series, a solo shot into the right field bleachers to make it 1-0. The Suns struck back in the bottom of the inning when Kevin Howard singled home Xavier Paul against Mobile starter Brooks Brown to tie the game 1-1.

The Suns took the lead during the fourth inning when Chin-Lung Hu singled home Cory Dunlap with two out to open a 2-1 advantage. Mobile answered in the sixth inning when Emilio Bonifacio scored on a Justin Upton sacrifice fly to tie the game again at 2-2.

Jacksonville took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth. The first two hitters of the inning were out against Mobile reliever A.J. Schappi. David Nicholson, a little-league teammate of Shappi, pinch hit for pitcher Joey Norrito and beat out an infield single. Xavier Paul next smashed a ball past the first baseman for a hit, sending Nicholson to third base. The BayBears catcher next allowed a passed ball that scored Nicholson and gave the Suns a 3-2 lead.

Norrito (5-0) pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on five scattered hits while striking out three for his third win in a row. The starter began the season in the Dodgers extended spring program, and had never pitched professionally above the Low-A level.

Mobile starter Brooks Brown went four and two-thirds innings and left after an Anthony Raglani line drive hit his right forearm. A.J. Schappi (1-3) got the loss for Mobile. Brian Akin (2) struck out Justin Upton, Javier Brito and Carlos Gonzalez in order to pick up a save.

Jacksonville travels to Zebulon, North Carolina to begin a series on Independence Day against the Carolina Mudcats with a first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Suns RH Justin Orenduff will face Carolina RH Gaby Hernandez. Fans can follow the action in Jacksonville on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 3, 2007


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