Season-High 13 Hits Lead Keys Past Blue Rocks

FREDERICK, Md. -The Frederick Keys scored in four different innings and used balanced production from their whole lineup to defeat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 7-5 on Thursday night at Nymeo Field. Posting a season-high 13 hits, the orange and black were led by Anthony Hewitt and Trey Mancini who each went 3-for-4. In total, seven of the nine starters recorded one hit, while six ended with at least one RBI.  

Wilmington grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by Cam Gallagher and a bases loaded walk to Ramon Torres which brought in Zane Evans. However the Keys would counter with three runs an inning later, sending seven to bat against Eric Skoglund. Hewitt opened the inning with a double and scored on a base knock by Tucker Nathans. He would advance to third after a sac-bunt and a flyout, while Drew Dosch would drive him in with an opposite field single to left. Mancini completed the scoring with a double to right, on a ball Logan Moon appeared to lose in the lights.

Frederick added one more in the fourth after a walk and a stolen base by Brenden Webb as well as a second double by Hewitt, followed by one more in the fifth. Serving as a counter to an RBI single by Mauricio Ramos, Mancini drove in his second run, scoring Kemp who opened the frame with a double.

The orange and black would close out their scoring in the seventh. Back-to-back singles by Dosch and Mancini set the table for Chance Sisco who singled to center to bring in one run, while Adrian Marin plated Mancini on a fielder's choice.  

In the ninth, Wilmington would bring the tying run to the plate, after an RBI single by Logan Moon scored Cam Gallagher and a wild pitch and a double by Jack Lopez brought home Moon. With three-hole batter, Frank Schwindel up, Cody Wheeler got a strikeout to end the game.

Jon Keller (1-1) earned the win for the Keys tossing 3.1 shutout innings of hitless baseball. Skoglund (1-1) suffered his first loss, allowing a career-high five runs on nine hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out four. Wheeler retired one batter in the ninth to earn his second consecutive save.

Keys starter Jarett Miller received a no-decision allowing three runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings.

The Keys and the Blue Rocks play game two of the four-game set on Friday night. Matt Taylor (0-0, 4.50) makes the start for the club and will be opposed by fellow southpaw Luis Rico (1-0, 3.68). First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m, while it is Going Green Night at the Ballpark. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a reusable bag courtesy of TransIT Service of Frederick County and the Reserve at Ballenger Creek. There will also be postgame fireworks. For tickets, fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.