SAL1 Asheville Tourists

Tourists Keep West Virginia Powerless

Published on August 20, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release


Charleston, WV - For the second consecutive night the Tourists picked up a solid starting pitching performance to keep the league's leading offense in check. This time it was Connor Graham (11-6) allowing just one hit over 5 2/3 innings to lift Asheville over West Virginia 7-2 on Wednesday night. The Tourists scored all seven runs in an explosive third inning and have now won three straight. Asheville (79-50) unloaded off Power starting pitcher Dan Merklinger in the third inning beginning with a single from Beau Seabury. The Tourists followed the Seabury single with seven consecutive hits including RBI doubles from Helder Velazquez, Kevin Clark and David Christensen. Seabury singled twice in the inning as the team sent 12 men to the plate.

Connor Graham was nearly flawless in his 11th win of the season. The right-hander was pulled after 5 2/3 due to pitch count and handed the ball to reliever Joey Williamson. Graham allowed just one hit - a single off of his shoe in the third inning - before being removed. Graham walked four but picked up two double plays to end threats in the second and third innings.

The normally reliable Williamson was ineffective in his outing of relief, allowing an opposite field homerun to Caleb Gindl to begin the bottom of the seventh. Williamson then allowed a single and consecutive wild pitches before West Virginia's Curt Rindal drove in the second and final run with a fly ball to left field. Williamson then walked the next two batters before being lifted for Craig Rodriguez. Eric Harris flew out and Rodriguez struck out Logan Schafer to end the seventh.

Rodriguez went on to pitch a scoreless eighth and ninth innings to preserve the 79th win of the season for Asheville. The Tourists have 11 games remaining and need just one win to tie the 80 win mark from last season. Rodriguez was one out shy of picking up a save on Wednesday.

West Virginia entered the day 2.5 games up on second place Lakewood and are fighting for a playoff spot in the Northern Division. The Tourists ended the Power's five-game winning streak last night and have won five of six against West Virginia this season. The two teams play again on Thursday and the Tourists will get their first look at Colorado's 2008 first-round draft pick Christian Friedrich. The start will be the first by a lefthander for Asheville. Friedrich was 2-1 in Tri-City before being promoted Sunday night. Thursday's game begins at 7:05 and can be heard on WRES FM 100.7 or online at www.theaashevilletourists.com

Check out the Asheville Tourists Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from August 20, 2008


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.

OurSports Central