Suns tie game in 9th, beat Legends in 11
Published on July 1, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release
Cole Leonida's single scored Sean Nicol from second base with the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Hagerstown Suns took the opener of a three-game series from the Lexington Legends, 6-5 Friday night in Hagerstown. Nicol had doubled to lead off the inning. After David Freitas popped out, Leonida grounded a single up the middle to score Nicol.
The Legends had taken a 5-3 lead on Ben Orloff's two-run triple with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, but Michael Taylor's two-run double with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth sent the game into extra innings.
Hagerstown opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Jason Martinson and Nicol started the inning with singles. Mills Rogers also singled, but Martinson, who was trying to score from second base, was thrown out at home plate by left fielder Enrique Hernandez. Nicol advanced to third on the throw home and scored on Leonida's ground out to shortstop. Taylor doubled to center field, scoring Rogers with the second run.
The Legends scored a run without a hit in the top of the third. With two outs, Delino DeShields walked, stole second, stole third, and continued home when catcher Leonida's throw went into left field for an error.
But Hagerstown restored its two-run lead when Martinson's solo home run in the fourth gave the Suns a 3-1 margin.
Lexington cut the lead to one in the fifth when Orloff doubled, continued to third on right fielder Bryce Harper's error, and scored on Roberto Pena's infield out.
The Legends tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth on a double by Hernandez and a single by Adam Bailey.
With two outs and no one on base in the top of the ninth, Emilio King singled and advanced to second on a single by Tyler Burnett. Orloff tripled to right center to give the Legends a 5-3 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Martinson reached first on Orloff's error at shortstop. Nicol hit into a force play at second, and pinch hitter David Freitas walked. Leonida was called out on strikes, but Taylor lined a double into right center, scoring both Nicol and Freitas to tie the game, setting the stage for Leonida's game-winning hit in the 11th.
Ben Graham (4-3) got the win in relief. David Martinez (3-2) was the losing pitcher.
The Legends are 1-4 on their current road trip. Every game has been decided by one run, and four of the five games have gone to extra innings.
The Legends and Suns meet again Saturday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 1, 2011
- Power fall 12-5 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Suns tie game in 9th, beat Legends in 11 - Lexington Legends
- âBirds have won four of last five games - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Rome Outhits Again but Can't Find A Win - Rome Emperors
- Drive Escape with 3-2 Win Against Crawdads - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Pull off Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Crawdads - Greenville Drive
- Four Ninth Inning Walks Aid Asheville - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Savannah Picks Up One-Run Win Over Augusta - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws Fall 2-1 on Friday Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- R'Dogs Bark Early, Silence Rome Late in 10-8 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Game Notes: Friday, July 1 at Augusta - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Hosting All-Star Game Jersey Auction - Delmarva Shorebirds
- West Virginia Ties Game in 9th, Beats Legends in 14 Innings, 5-4 - Lexington Legends
- Suns Chase Away BlueClaws, Win 8-4 in Game Four Finale - Hagerstown Suns
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
