SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Sweep Doubleheader, Control Series Vs. Augusta

Published on July 21, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- The Hagerstown Suns (55-42, 15-12) swept the Augusta Greenjackets (47-50, 16-11) in a Thursday doubleheader featuring two seven-inning contests at Municipal Stadium, winning 4-2 in the afternoon game and 3-0 in the nightcap. By triumphing in the front end of the twin bill, Hagerstown snapped an 11-game winning streak for Augusta en route to creating a two-game winning streak for the Suns.

In the first game, Augusta scored first with a solo home run off the stick of 1B Josh Mazzola in the 2nd inning that cleared the left field wall and the batting tunnel. That long-ball was the only earned run allowed by the winning pitcher, RHP Matt Swynenberg (3-0), who went 5.0 innings and surrendered two runs on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts. This was Mazzola's ninth four-bagger of the 2011 season.

The Greenjackets stung the Suns again on a hard hit ball by 3B Adam Duvall that snuck underneath the glove of 3B Blake Kelso in the 3rd inning to score 2B Carlos Willoughby, who singled to center field to get aboard.

Hagerstown answered with multi-run frames in the 4th and 5th innings off LHP Gaspar Santiago (3-4), the losing pitcher, who allowed four runs, three of them earned, on eight hits and one walk, while fanning four. DH David Freitas launched his farthest home run of the season, a solo shuttle launch over the left field brick wall that is behind both the left field barrier and the batting tunnel, his 11th four-base jack of the season. Then, SS Jason Martinson drew a walk and stole second base before LF Sean Nicol wrapped an RBI grounder through the left side of the infield to tie the game at 2-2.

The Suns collected two more runs an inning later on a two-RBI double off the bat of 2B Adrian Sanchez into the left field corner, summoning home 1B Mills Rogers, who reached with a bunt single, and RF Michael Taylor, who laced an opposite field liner to right field to get on base.

RHP Wilson Eusebio (4 SV) pitched a scoreless two innings out of the Suns bullpen to garner his fourth save of the year. Eusebio gave up just one base hit, without walking a batter, and striking out two.

In the backend of the doubleheader, the Suns struck with three runs in the 4th frame to provide all the offense for the contest. Suns LHP Ryan Demmin (1-1), the winning pitcher of record, in his first start of the season, tossed a gem after cruising through 5.0 scoreless innings and allowing two hits and two walks, amidst seven strikeouts.

Demmin's opposition, RHP Justin Schumer (5-5), the losing pitcher, got touched up for three earned runs on three hits, while walking a trio and striking out two.

Runs came to fruition for Hagerstown when Freitas drew a leadoff walk, before 1B Russell Moldenhauer also got on with a one-out base-on-balls. Then, Martinson cranked a two-RBI double to the left field wall plating both Freitas and Moldenhauer. Martinson would be summoned home when LF Wade Moore doubled on a popup that found real estate up the left field line.

LHP Chris Manno (12 SV) earned save number twelve in his thirteenth save opportunity by gunning down the Greenjackets in order in the 9th inning.

Hagerstown will host Augusta with a series finale featuring a Friday night 7:05pm first pitch, with the Suns owning a two games to one lead in the set. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240. The pitching matchup will bring RHP Chris McKenzie (3-3, 8.36) to the mound to face RHP Shawn Sanford (6-6, 2.67).

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 2011


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