Spartanburgers Win Inaugural Season Opener in Extras 4-3
ABERDEEN, Md. — In the first game in Spartanburgers history, Hub City battled back to force extra innings against the Aberdeen IronBirds and came out winners after 12 frames, 4-3. After the teams traded runs in extra innings, designated hitter Julian Brock singled in the go-ahead, eventual game-winning run in
ABERDEEN, Md. — In the first game in Spartanburgers history, Hub City battled back to force extra innings against the Aberdeen IronBirds and came out winners after 12 frames, 4-3. After the teams traded runs in extra innings, designated hitter Julian Brock singled in the go-ahead, eventual game-winning run in the top of the 12th. Seth Clark (S, 1) closed the door to wrap up the win at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
Brock stepped to the plate with two outs, Keith Jones at second and Esteban Mejia at first. On the second pitch he saw from Aberdeen righty Zane Barnhart (L, 0-1), the right-hander punched a single up the middle; Jones sped home from second to put the Spartanburgers in front for good.
The win took a group effort from Spartanburgers pitching, as six different arms combined for 15 strikeouts in the season opener. Multiple relievers held Aberdeen scoreless in potential walk-off situations in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings.
The defense, or lack thereof, was the story of the game early. Both starting pitchers surrendered a lone unearned run. Arturo Disla scored the game's first run for Hub City on an Aberdeen throwing error in the top of the second inning. The IronBirds responded immediately in the bottom of the second with a Leandro Arias sac fly to drive in Vance Honeycutt, who reached third base on a throwing error.
Aberdeen center fielder Austin Overn delivered the next punch of the night with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. That was the only run allowed by Hub City's Paul Bonzagni. The righty reliever took over for starter David Davalillo in the fourth inning and got the Spartanburgers all the way to the seventh. The bullpens locked down both offenses the rest of the way, taking the 2-1 Aberdeen advantage all the way to the ninth.
With one out in the top of the ninth, Disla got the tying run aboard with a base hit. Marcus Smith entered to run for Disla and was quickly put in motion. Jones singled the tying run into scoring position, and Esteban Mejia notched a third straight single for the Spartanburgers to drive home Smith and force extra innings in a 2-2 tie.
Hub City lived life after the ninth on thin ice. After the Spartanburgers failed to score the automatic runner in the top of the 10th, Spartanburgers reliever Joey Danielson stared down the winning run on third base with nobody out. Thanks to two singing strikeouts and and an infield popup, Danielson stranded the winning run for Aberdeen 90 feet away in the 10th.
Gleider Figuereo plated the automatic runner in the top of the 11th for Hub City on a sacrifice fly to put the Spartanburgers back in front for the first time since the second inning. Life was still far from comfortable for manager Chad Comer and crew. New Hub City reliever Victor Simeon (W, 1-0) quickly found himself dealing with two base runners in scoring position in the bottom of the 11th and just a one-run lead. Griff O’Ferrall poked a pitch into center field, an apparent walk-off for Aberdeen, but Spartanburgers center fielder Anthony Gutierrez had other ideas. Gutierrez gunned the trail runner Ryan Stafford out at the plate to preserve a 3-3 tie.
In the top of the 12th, two strikeouts put the Spartanburgers on the brink of failing to score the runner from second again. Brock did away with those worries with his line drive to center. The Hub City pitching staff had a second opportunity to seal a win in the bottom of the 12th.
Clark entered, searching for the save. The lefty immediately threw a wild pitch to advance the tying run to third base with nobody out. From there, Clark did not let the baseball leave the batters circle. Aron Estrada grounded out right in front of the plate. Leandro Arias was rung up on strikes. Clark finished the night with a 15th strikeout for the Hub City staff, sending Thomas Sosa down swinging.
After a three-and-a-half-hour thriller on Friday, the Spartanburgers and IronBirds return to action Saturday night at 7:05 PM at Ripken Stadium. Hub City is expected to hand the ball to right-hander D.J. McCarty in search of two straight wins to begin the season.
Bats Wake up for ‘Burgers to Finish Week in Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After dominant pitching for seven innings, the Spartanburgers (1-2, 32-36) offense came alive in the final two innings to take Sunday’s series finale 8-2 against the Hot Rods (2-1, 36-31). Jose Gonzalez provided Hub City an excellent chance to salvage the final game of the series.
Late Offense Carries Bowling Green to Comfortable Win
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Spartanburgers got off to an early lead on Saturday evening. Keith Jones II blasted a first pitch home run to put Hub City (0-2, 31-36) in front. Bowling Green (2-0, 36-30) responded with seven unanswered runs to take game four 7-1. Hub City lefty starter
Offensive Battle Goes Bowling Green’s Way
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After conceding five runs in the first inning, Hub City battled back to tie Friday night’s game in the seventh. The Hot Rods (1-0, 35-30) powered their way to seven late runs to take down the Spartanburgers (0-1, 31-35) in game three of the series, 12-5.
Spartanburgers Even Series at Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After rain ruined the possibilities of game two, the Spartanburgers (31-34) snapped their eight-game losing streak on Thursday with a 3-1 win at Bowling Green (34-30). Hub City used three straight baserunners to get on the board first in the fourth. Dylan Dreiling followed it up
Game Two Between ‘Burgers and Hot Rods Washed Out
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Spartanburgers (30-34) and Hot Rods (34-29) never got started on Wednesday in Kentucky. The game began in a delay, and a lengthy storm cell led to the game’s cancellation about two hours after scheduled first pitch. Since tonight’s game was canceled and Greenville lost to
Walk-off Grand Slam Lifts Bowling Green in Game One
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Headed into the final three games of the first half, the Spartanburgers lost any chance of winning the division in the first half. Meanwhile, the Bowling Green Hot Rods held a half-game advantage on the Greenville Drive. Bowling Green (34-29) picked up a critical 7-3 win
Late ‘Burgers Rally Falls Short on Sunday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Offense was again hard to come by on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Park. The Spartanburgers (30-33) fell to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (30-33), 3-2. Wilmington completed a series sweep, claiming five of the six games by just a single run. Jose Gonzalez (L, 1-6) handled most
Wilmington Wins Another One-Run Contest Saturday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Most of the contests between Wilmington and Hub City this week have been decided by slim margins. Saturday was no different as the Blue Rocks (29-33) beat the Spartanburgers (30-32) by one run, 3-2, for the fourth time this week. Hub City went two-for-nine with runners in
Wilmington scores seven in first two innings
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Wilmington stunned Hub City ace David Davalillo early and rode seven runs through the first two innings to an 8-0 victory Friday night. The Blue Rocks (28-33) have won four straight games to start the series; the Spartanburgers (30-31) are now two and-a-half games out of first
Oat Milkers’ Comeback Falls Short after Sixth Inning Struggles
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a tumultuous sixth inning, the Spartanburgers, playing as the Malmo Oat Milkers, launched a slow but sure comeback against the Blue Rocks. Hub City (30-30) left the tying run at third base and the winning run on second in the bottom of the ninth in a
Spartanburgers Fall to Blue Rocks in Extras for Second Straight Night
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers and Blue Rocks needed extra innings for the second straight night. Just like Tuesday, Wilmington (26-33) pulled out a one-run victory, 6-5, over Hub City (30-28). Cal Stark and Gleider Figuereo both mashed solo home runs. Figuereo became the first Spartanburger with double-digit home runs
Extra-Innings Pitchers Duel Goes Wilmington’s Way
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The first game of the series between Hub City and Wilmington featured plenty of zeros. In a contest devoid of offense until extras, the Blue Rocks (25-33) beat the Spartanburgers (30-28) by a 2-1 final score in 11 innings. Both teams were scoreless until the final frame.
Dreiling and Stark Reunited by Rangers after Shortest Goodbye
For two years, Cal Stark and Dylan Dreiling formed a “one of a kind” friendship as teammates at Tennessee. After winning a national championship with the Vols, it was time to say goodbye. But goodbye only lasted 24 hours. In 2023, Dreiling and Stark both landed on Rocky Top for
City of Spartanburg Partners with Hub City Spartanburgers to Host Red, White & Boom at Fifth Third Park
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The City of Spartanburg, in partnership with the Hub City Spartanburgers, is pleased to announce the 2025 Red, White & Boom Independence Day festival, to be held on Friday, July 4 at Fifth Third Park in Downtown Spartanburg. “We’re excited for this opportunity to partner with the
Spartanburgers’ Keith Jones II Named South Atlantic League Player of the Week
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Minor League Baseball and the South Atlantic League have named Hub City Spartanburgers outfielder Keith Jones II as the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of June 2–8. Jones is the first Hub City position player to win a SAL honor. “Keith’s consistency
‘Burgers Drop Series Finale in Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Early offense came in droves on a sunny Sunday at First National Bank Field as the Greensboro Grasshoppers (37-18) out-blasted the Hub City Spartanburgers (30-27) by a 9-4 final to even the series at three games apiece. Five home runs, two of which were hit by Spartanburgers,
Spartanburgers Prevail Past Rain to win Saturday Night
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Nearly five hours after first pitch, Hub City (30-26) prevailed over Greensboro (36-19) with a 7-4 final. The game was dragged out by a two hour rain delay that put a pause on the action in the eighth inning. Luis Marquez continued his hot start to his
Grasshoppers Win on Rain-Shortened Friday
GREENSBORO, N.C. — After six and a half innings at First National Bank Field, the skies opened, and shortly after, a 2-1 ballgame ended. Greensboro (36-18) beat Hub City (29-26) Friday night to even the series at two games apiece. Hub City got five more quality innings from starter David
‘Burgers Load up for Four Home Runs in 7-4 Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Hub City flipped the script Thursday against the team with the most home runs in the South Atlantic League, taking down Greensboro 7-4. Four separate Spartanburgers home runs powered the offense, while Josh Trentadue and Kolton Curtis (W, 2-1) combined for all nine innings on the mound
Spartanburgers’ David Davalillo Named South Atlantic League May Pitcher of the Month
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Minor League Baseball and the South Atlantic League have tabbed Spartanburgers pitcher David Davalillo as the league’s May Pitcher of the Month. In five May appearances, the right-hander led all qualified High-A hurlers with a 0.96 ERA and struck out 35 batters. “David has earned every bit
Hub City Arms Salt Away Shutout Wednesday Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The first swing of a noon start in Greensboro Wednesday put Hub City ahead. After Casey Cook’s big fly, the Spartanburgers (28-25) held the Grasshoppers (35-17) scoreless and evened the series with a 4-0 triumph at First National Bank Field. Cook ripped a 95 mile-per-hour fastball from
Four-Run Sixth Costs Hub City in Series-Opening Defeat at Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Yeison Morrobel gave the Spartanburgers a one-run lead in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s series opener between Hub City (27-25) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (35-16). After five strong innings from Spartanburgers starter Leandro Lopez (L, 2-4), Greensboro responded with a home run as part of a four-run
Gonzalez’s Gem Ends Series on High Note
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers’ starting pitching had been stellar through the first five games of the series against Winston-Salem. Sunday was no different, as right-hander Jose Gonzalez (W, 1-4) tossed the best start of his High-A tenure to lead Hub City to a 3-1 win. Gonzalez was dominant: his
Dash Take Pitcher’s Duel with Four-Run Ninth
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After an offensive explosion from the Spartanburgers Friday, both teams’ bats were silent for the majority of Saturday afternoon’s contest between Winston-Salem and Hub City. The ‘Burgers (26-24) blinked first in the top of the ninth, as the Dash (18-32) scored four, and eventually won by three,
Hub City Smacks Winston-Salem Friday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers (26-23) dominated game four against the Winston-Salem Dash (17-32) on Friday night with a 12-2 win. Hub City’s offense grooved in full force. Five Spartanburgers notched multi-hit games, led by Yeison Morrobel, who bashed his first home run of the season. As a team, the