Willie Abreu Walks Off in Style for the Tourists

ASHEVILLE-- Willie Abreu picked the perfect time to record his fifth hit on Thursday night. Abreu was 4-for-5 entering his final at bat. The former Miami Hurricane delivered in the clutch and his RBI hit gave the Asheville Tourists a 9-8 victory over the visiting Augusta GreenJackets.
The Tourists right-fielder came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the tenth inning of a tie game. Abreu roped a single over the head of Augusta's right-fielder to plate the winning run in Jacob Bosiokovic. Willie added a Home Run, a double, and two earlier singles before connecting with the game-winner.

Abreu was not the only Tourist player with a big day offensively. Manny Melendez went 4-for-6 with a pair of Home Runs and a double. Melendez's two-out eighth inning Home Run tied the score 8-8 and eventually forced extras.
As far as the game, it was back and forth the entire way. Asheville built a 2-0 lead only to see Augusta score three in the top of the fifth. The Tourists countered with a three spot in the bottom of the fifth to jump back in front 5-3. The GreenJackets scored three in the top of the sixth to reclaim the lead. Once again, Asheville answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Asheville led 7-6 entering the eighth inning; however, Augusta used a two out hit by Jacob Heyward to recapture the lead at 8-7. Once the Tourists forced extras, Bosiokovic led off the tenth with a walk. After taking second on a wild pitch, Abreu delivered the walk off. Willie is the second Tourists player this season to record a five-hit game.
The Tourists are back in action on Friday night against the Lexington Legends. The first pitch at McCormick Field is set for 7:05pm.