SUNS RALLY LATE TO DEFEAT GREENJACKETS IN 12 INNINGS

AUGUSTA, GA – The Hagerstown Suns (12-16) struggled to score for the first seven innings against the Augusta GreenJackets (18-10), but managed five runs from the eighth inning on to defeat the GreenJackets 5-4 in 12 innings.

The Suns, after a one-hour rain delay, loaded the bases in the top of the eighth inning on two walks and a single. First baseman Tim Pahuta then chopped a ground ball to GreenJackets first baseman Angel Villalona who failed to get any outs as Travis Reagan scored from third.

Jesus Valdez followed with a sacrifice-fly to right field, scoring Jose Lozada from third base and tying the game at 2-2.

After scoreless ninth and tenth innings, the Suns added two more in the top of the 11th inning as Stephen King and Garrett Bass singled with King scoring on a throwing error by third baseman Skylar Stromsmoe. Jake Rogers followed with an RBI double, scoring Bass and giving the Suns a 4-2 lead.

Ryan Harrison came in to pitch in the bottom of the 11th for Hagerstown, but surrendered two walks and a two-RBI double by GreenJacket’s DH Thomas Neal knotting the game at 4-4.

The Suns responded in the 12th, as Jose Lozada struck out to lead off the inning, but reached first base as the wild pitch got past Augusta catcher Matt Klimas. Mark Gildea then laid down a sacrifice bunt moving Lozada to second base and two batters later Suns right fielder Jesus Valdez singled to right scoring Lozada and giving the Suns a one-run lead.

Harrison (3-1) retired the GreenJackets in order to earn the victory.

Following in the footsteps of Suns’ starters Erik Arnesen and Colton Willems, Cole Kimball pitched very well for Hagerstown, but did not receive any offensive support. Kimball (3-7) pitched five and two thirds innings and allowed just two earned runs on two hits.

The first run of the game came in the bottom of the second inning Villalona singled past third baseman Stephen King. After a walk and a hit-batsman issued by Kimball, shortstop Charlie Culberson hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Villalona. Kimball got out of the inning by inducing a double play off the bat of Klimas.

The second run of the game came in the sixth inning as Villalona again singled and eventually was forced in as Klimas walked with the bases loaded.

T.J. Brewer started the game on the mound for Augusta and pitched four and two thirds innings before running into trouble in the fifth inning. Stephen King and Jake Rogers both singled and some alert base running by Rogers put runners at second and third base with two men out, but Waldis Joaquin came on in relief to quell the Suns scoring chance.

Justin Phillabaum and Kyle Gunderson combined to pitch four and one third innings of scoreless relief to keep the Suns in the game.

The Suns and GreenJackets will play the finale of their four game series on Saturday, July 19th at 7:05 p.m. as Bradley Meyers (5-4) will square off against Craig Clark (6-3) at Lake Olmstead Stadium in Augusta.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class “A” affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.