Two-Out Hits Spark Two Big Innings for Catfish in 9-2 win at Rome

Published on June 24, 2005 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbus Catfish News Release


ROME, GA-Seven consecutive Columbus Catfish hitters reached with two outs in a five-run fourth inning tonight as the Catfish defeated the Rome Braves 9-2 at State Mutual Stadium in the opener of a three-game series. Columbus struck for three additional runs one inning later in the fifth inning, again all with two outs. SS Dominique Laurin had an RBI single in the fourth and an RBI double in the fifth inning. RHP Zach Hammes earned his second win of the season and first as a starter with 6.1 innings on the hill, allowing two runs on five hits tonight. The Catfish have a 2-2 record in the second half with the win (30-43 overall) while Rome has lost the first four games of the second half and is 39-33 overall.

The Catfish led 1-0 going into the fourth inning. Rome LHP Jonathan Venters retired the first two hitters, but then gave up a single to 3B Blake DeWitt and C Chris Westervelt drew a walk to put runners on at first and second. RF Ryan Russ delivered the first big hit tonight, a two-run double into the left field corner to extend the Catfish lead to 3-0. SS Dominique Laurin broke out of a 1-11 slump with an RBI single to make it 4-0, and 2B Brandon Carter's two-run single capped the fourth inning scoring and gave Columbus a 6-0 lead. The Fish sent 10 hitters to the plate in the fourth inning with seven straight hitters reaching safely to score five runs.

In the fifth inning with two outs, a walk and an error put two runners on base. 1B Dan Batz doubled off the center field wall to drive in two runs, and came home one pitch later when Laurin doubled off the left field wall. Batz's double gives him a ten-game hitting streak. The series-opening win is just the second series-opening win on the road in ten series this season for the Fish. Tomorrow RHP Brandon Weeden (2-5, 4.94 ERA) goes to the hill for the Catfish in Rome for the second game which begins at State Mutual Stadium at 7:00 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 24, 2005


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