Wild Pitch Dooms Skyhawks In One-Run Loss
August 14, 2010 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
Augusta, N.J. - The Skyhawks loaded the bases in three separate innings but scratched across only one run in a 2-1 loss on Saturday night. The visiting Quebec Capitales relied on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth to score the winning run as they took the third game of a four-game set in front of 2,688 fans at CenturyLink Field at Skylands Park.
Quebec opened the scoring against Sussex right-handed starter Mike Vicaro in the first when Sebastien Boucher doubled to drive in Josh Colafemina, making it 1-0 in favor of the visitors. After walking the next batter, however, Vicaro would retire 14 consecutive Capitales en route to an eight-inning, five-strikeout performance.
The Skyhawks scored a run of their own in the bottom of the first when leadoff hitter Kraig Binick was hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout by Joe Persichina and then scored on an RBI groundout by Carl Loadenthal. One base hit and two free passes later, Vincent Blue came to the plate with the bases full of Skyhawks but flew out to left field to end the inning.
Capitales right-handed starter Dan Sausville loaded the bases again in the sixth on two hits and one walk but froze Persichina with a curveball to strike him out looking and escape unscathed. Sausville and left-handed reliever Giuseppe Granitto combined to walk the bases loaded with two out in the seventh as well, but Skyhawks newcomer Anthony Sosnoskie popped out to third base against right-hander Andy Schon (3-1) to end the threat.
The Skyhawks' missed opportunities came back to haunt them in the top of the ninth. Pierre-Luc LaForest reached on a single but was replaced by Mike Thompson when Thompson grounded into a fielder's choice, and Alex Nunez's single to center field then advanced Thompson to third base. With two out and the tying run 90 feet away, left-handed reliever Jared Locke (6-6) delivered a wild pitch that allowed Thompson to score and give the Capitales a 2-1 edge.
Southpaw Andrew Albers emerged from the Quebec bullpen in the bottom of the ninth and closed out the game in 1-2-3 fashion to notch his 13th save of the season.
Fans enjoyed a post-game concert by Peter Tork, former member of The Monkees, and his band, Shoe Suede Blues. Saturday night also marked the second Scout Sleepover Night of the year at Skylands Park as local Scouts enjoyed a night under the starts in the outfield of CenturyLink Field.
The Skyhawks (7-19 second half, 32-40 overall) and Capitales (15-10, 45-27) conclude their weekend series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Sussex right-hander Jusef Frias (1-4, 6.75) will oppose Quebec right-hander Karl Gelinas (3-2, 2.98) in the finale at Skylands Park. 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.
We're constantly adding new events and promotions to our schedule, so visit our website at www.sussexskyhawks.com for updates. For more information about promotions mentioned above or to reserve tickets, contact the Skyhawks' office at 973-300-1000.
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Canadian American League Stories from August 14, 2010
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- Wild Pitch Dooms Skyhawks In One-Run Loss - Sussex Skyhawks
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