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LATE RALLY FALLS SHORT AS HAWKS FALL TO
CHESAPEAKE
April 9, 2009 -
Trailing by four runs entering the bottom of
the 9th, the CSM baseball team rallied, scoring three runs to cut the margin
to 6-5. The Hawks had the tying run on second, and the winning run on
first with just one out, but were unable to get the runners home, and first
place Chesapeake escaped with a 6-5 win at Regency Furniture Stadium.
It looked like smooth sailing for the Skipjacks, as they entered the bottom
of the 9th with a four run cushion, and were bringing in their ace closer,
Ryan Staton, who had 6 saves, a 1.11 ERA, and averaged over one strike-out
an inning. However Staton was only able to retire one Hawk batter, and
left with three runs in, and runners on first and second with one out.
JB Sapienza started the rally with a walk, and Michael August beat out a
perfectly placed bunt along the first base line. Nick Sydnor walked to
load the bases with no outs. Thomas Thayer flied out to left, but the
ball wasn't deep enough to score Sapienza. A past ball scored the
Hawks first run, as all runners moved up a base. James Newsome hit a
ground ball to second base, but a wild throw to first by Mathieu Vallieres
allowed two more runs to score for CSM, while Newsome reached second.
After a walk to Adam Webster put runners on first and second with one out,
Chesapeake went to the bullpen for the second time and brought in Jacob
Garvey. Garvey induced Dennis Morgan to ground to third, forcing the
runner, and then struck out Mike Edwards, as the Hawk rally fell just short.
CSM (11-11, 8-9) drew first blood in the game, scoring in the bottom of the
2nd to take a 1-0 lead. Pitcher Ryan Harris hit a mammoth blast into
deep right field, and reached third on a triple. James Newsome drove
Harris in with a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Chesapeake (22-7, 14-3) scored three in the top of the third to take the
lead 3-1. Derek Richards walked, James Corriveau was hit by a pitch,
and Mathieu Vallieres beat out a bunt single, to load the bases with no
outs. With the infield in, Michael Liddell hit a ground ball to Adam
Webster at first, but his throw home was off target, allowing two Skipjack
runners to score. Cory Kirby's single to left scored the third run.
The Hawks battled right back, scoring one in the bottom of the 3rd to cut
the margin to 3-2. Joe Saverino made a perfect bunt down the third
base line, and beat the throw to first for an infield single. Saverino
stole second, advanced to third on a fielder's choice, and scored on Michael
August's single.
The score remained 3-2 until the 7th, when two walks would come back to
haunt the Hawks, as both runners ended up scoring. After
the first two batters were issued a free pass Michael Liddell singled to
drive in one run, and the second run scored on a past ball, giving the
Skipjacks a 5-2 lead.
Chesapeake got what proved to be the winning run in the top of the 9th.
Liddell was hit by a pitch leading off, then stole second. Relief
pitcher Dennis Morgan struck out Andrew Markey, before giving up a single to
Cory Kirby, with Liddell holding at third. Kirby then stole second,
putting runners on second and third with one out. Michael Turner's
sacrifice fly to center scored Markey, and Kirby advanced to third, but
Morgan struck out Jesse Savage to end the threat.
Michael August led the Hawk attack, as he went 2-3, with one RBI and a run
scored. His drive in the sixth forced the left fielder back to the
wall, as he made the catch with his back pressed against the Fenway Park
style scoreboard.
Daniel Miller got the win for Chesapeake. He pitched 8 innings, giving
up 2 runs on 4 hits, walking none and striking out 3 batters.
Ryan Harris took the loss for the Hawks. Harris pitched 7 2/3 innings,
gave up 5 runs (3 earned), on 5 hits, walking 6 and striking out 9 batters.
The Hawks travel to Cecil on Saturday (April 11), for a 12:00 PM
doubleheader.
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