SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

The Hunter and the Hunted

Published on May 26, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


Greensboro, N.C. - Greensboro was hunting for its second consecutive win over the Delmarva Shorebirds Monday and Hunter Mense fired two shots out of the park, his first and second home runs of the season, to hand-deliver the Grasshoppers' 11-4 victory.

Mense homered in back-to-back at-bats in the fifth and sixth innings, driving in a career-high four runs. His first shot was a solo home run of Delmarva starter Zach Britton (4-4); he followed with a three-run blast in his next at bat to put the Hoppers in front, 10-4.

The Hoppers were forced to battle from behind twice in the contest. Greensboro first trailed after the ‘Birds plated a single run in the second inning. But the Hoppers replied with three runs in the bottom half of the frame to take the lead.

It was not long after that Delmarva regained its one-run lead as Joe Nowicki drove in three runs on his sixth home run of the season in the top of the third.

Against trailing by one, Mense tied the game with a one-out, solo home run in the fifth; it was the first of four runs for Greensboro in the inning.

Matt Dominguez drove in the game-winning run as part of Greensboro's four-run fifth. The Hoppers third baseman hit his second double of the season plating Danny Garcia to put the home team ahead for good.

Greensboro starter Alejandro Sanabia allowed all four Delmarva runs in the match and was relieved after just three innings of work. Eric Basurto and Don Czyz combined to shut out the Shorebirds through the final six frames; each contributed three innings of work. Basurto earned his first win in his first appearance at NewBridge Bank Park and Czyz picked up his third save.

In the Hopper's last two wins over Delmarva, the Greensboro bullpen has combined to throw 10 scoreless innings while allowing just five hits and striking out nine batters.

Greensboro will look to grab the series win Tuesday in the finale of a four-game home set against the Shorebirds. Tuesday's 12:30 p.m. contest will see RHP Brett Durand (5-2, 5.48) take the mound for the Hoppers; Delmarva is set to send RHP Sean Gleason (2-0, 1.42) to the hill. Gleason will be the first right-handed starter the Hoppers have faced in the series.

Check out the Greensboro Grasshoppers Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 26, 2008


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