SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns win thriller over Legends in extras 7-6

Published on May 20, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD-It took extra innings and a whole lot of fireworks for the Hagerstown Suns (23-21) and the Lexington Legends (13-31) to settle the opening game of the series.

In the bottom of the tenth inning designated hitter Boomer Whiting was issued a walk to lead off the inning. Legends reliever Jordan Powell then threw the ball down the right field line on an attempted pick off at first. The speedy Whiting advanced all the way to third on the error. After a Dan Lyons pop out, Lexington decided to intentionally walk Bill Rhinehart and pinch hitter Tim Pahuta to load the bases. Third baseman Stephen King chopped a double play ball to the shortstop Ronnie Ramirez, but the throw to second sailed into right field and Whiting came across for the game winner.

It was back and forth all evening as the Legends opened the scoring in the top of the third. Catcher Maxwell Sapp doubled to deep right field and was brought around on a single by Bryan Brown.

The Suns manufactured a run to tie the game in the bottom of the third. With two outs, designated hitter Boomer Whiting drew a walk. Whiting then stole second, his eighth theft of the year. Lyons deposited a ball into right center to bring around Whiting and even the score at one.

Lexington took the lead back in the top of the fifth. Suns starter Cole Kimball could not find the strike zone and walked back to back batters. With Ramirez on second, right fielder Russell Dixon poked one through the right side to stake the Legends to a one run lead.

As was the norm on the night, the Suns tied it back up in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Sean Rooney led the inning off with a single. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Rooney to second, Rhinehart lined a single down the left field line to bring Rooney around.

In the top of the eighth Lexington opened the ball game up with three runs off Suns reliever Erik Arnesen. With two runners on, center fielder Collin DeLome lined a triple off the top of the wall in right center to clear the bases and give the Legends a three run lead. The Suns would not be down for long. Aaron Seuss walked and then advanced to third base on a swinging bunt by Michael Burgess that was thrown off of his back. With runners on the corners Rooney swung on a third strike in the dirt from reliever Jay Pacella that ended up at the backstop. Seuss came into score and Rooney was safe at first to extend the inning. Whiting then bounced a ball into left field to score Michael Burgess. After a walk to Dan Lyons, Rhinehart brought two more runs in with a singleto take a 6-5 lead.

The game continued to go back and forth in the ninth as Suns lefty Atahualpa Severino could not close out the game. With one out Dixon doubled to deep left-centerfield. Designated hitter Craig Corrado then doubled down the left field line to tie it at six.

Suns manager Darnell Coles was ejected in the bottom of the ninth inning after a controversial call at third base. Stephen King was called out on a bang bang play at the bag with no outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Severino (4-2) picked up the win for the Suns. Powell (0-3) is saddled with the loss.

The Suns and Legends play game two of this four game series tomorrow morning at 10:35 at Municipal Stadium.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and 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 Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2008


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