Sussex Bats Stifled in Series Opener
Published on August 12, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
Augusta, N.J. - Right-handed Skyhawks starter Will Hassett pitched the best game of his young professional career on Thursday night at CenturyLink Field at Skylands Park, but his effort was not enough to secure Sussex a victory in the opening game of a four-game set with the Quebec Capitales. Hassett (0-2) earned a quality start with three runs allowed (two earned) on seven hits and five walks while striking out three, but the Skyhawks dropped a 3-1 decision to the first-half champions.
After the first pitch was delayed one hour and twenty-six minutes due to rain, Hassett kept the visitors off the board early with a pair of inning-ending strikeouts in the first and second frames. Quebec struck in the third, however, when Ivan Naccarata stole second after a leadoff walk and came around to score on an RBI groundout by Sebastien Boucher two batters later.
With runners on second and third and two out in the top of the fourth, Hassett was able to strikeout Marc Mimeault swinging to keep the home team within one run. But in the fifth, the right-hander's defense failed him as Joe Persichina's error at second base allowed Josh Colafemina to reach first base. Boucher then doubled to drive in Colafemina, and Pete LaForest followed with an RBI single of his own to give the Capitales a 3-0 lead.
The Skyhawks loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half of the inning and seemed poised to answer back, but Kraig Binick popped out to second and Quebec third baseman Mike Thompson made a spectacular catch over the railing in foul ground to retire Persichina and end the threat.
Right-hander Donald Jordat pitched for the first time since August 3 against New Jersey and provided three innings of scoreless relief out of the Skyhawks bullpen. Jordat walked one and hit a batter but did not allow a base hit.
The Sussex offense managed one unearned run in the eighth off of Quebec right-hander Matthew Rusch (10-1), but the former Detroit Tigers farmhand was able to finish the game and complete a six-inning performance out of the visiting bullpen in relief of right-handed starter Brendon Malkowski. The victory ties Rusch with Brockton's Mike Smith for the league lead in wins.
Binick and Nick Giarraputo each went 2-for-4 in the loss. Boucher, LaForest and Alex Nunez all recorded a pair of hits for Quebec, and Bobby Wagner walked four times and stole a base for the victors.
The Skyhawks (6-18 second half, 31-39 overall) and Capitales (14-9, 44-26) continue their weekend series at Skylands Park on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Sussex right-hander Mike Vicaro (6-2, 4.47) opposes Quebec southpaw Troy Cate (3-3, 3.63) as the Skyhawks look to snap a four-game losing streak and break out of a 1-8 slump. Visit Hawk Watch at www.sussexskyhawks.wordpress.com for a live, play-by-play blog of all the action starting ten minutes prior to game time.
Canadian American League Stories from August 12, 2010
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