Hagerstown clinches SAL first half title

HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - The Hagerstown Suns (38-29) clinched the South Atlantic League North Division Championship for the first half of the season. The Suns overcame a 2.5 game deficit as late as Wednesday to clinch the title. The team won five of their last six games before the All-Star Break to leapfrog Hickory and earn an automatic birth into the South Atlantic League Playoffs in September.

 

Heading into Sunday's action, Hagerstown sat a half a game behind the Hickory Crawdads in the standings. The Suns were able to hold off a pesky Lakewood squad to earn a 9-6 victory. Hagerstown then had to play the waiting game as the Crawdads (39-31) game with Delmarva did not start until 5:05 p.m. Down 4-0 in ninth inning to the Shorebirds, Hickory would rally for two runs but ultimately fell short, losing 4-2 and giving the Suns the division title. 

 

The North Division Championship is the second straight division championship for the Suns, as they clinched the division in the second half of last season, earning a trip to the playoffs in the process. Hagerstown ended up losing to Greensboro in the first round two games to zero in a best of three series.

 

With the first half Championship in hand, the Suns have automatically clinched a spot in the South Atlantic League Playoffs, which begin in September. They will meet the North Division second half champion, or the next best finisher in the North Division if Hagerstown also wins the second half title.

 

To catch your 2013 Hagerstown Suns All-stars in action all season and to reserve your seats at Municipal Stadium, call 301-791-6266, or go to www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.