Corey Dickerson's Pinch Hit Game Winning 2-Run Blast is Dagger for Hagerstown
Asheville RHP Josh Mueller who did not factor into the decision, went 4.2 innings and allowed 12 hits producing six earned runs, while walking three and striking out seven, while Suns RHP A.J. Cole, who also did not receive a decision, was hammered for five earned runs on seven hits, but captured an extremely rare feat.
Cole struck out nine batters in the first three innings pitched, including a string of eight consecutive Ks.
In the 1st inning, 2B Hector Velazquez banged an RBI double to left field, C Dustin Garneau ripped an RBI double, RF Avery Barnes yanked an RBI single to right field, LF Chandler Laurent smacked an RBI single up the middle, and Barnes scored on a wild pitch by Cole.
The Suns got on the board with two runs in the 3rd inning when 3B Blake Kelso lofted an RBI sacrifice fly to right field and C David Freitas sent an RBI single to right field to cut the Asheville lead to 5-2.
Hagerstown leaped out with four runs in the 5th inning on a run scoring single to right field by 1B Brett Newsome, a two-run double off the right center field wall by LF Mills Rogers, and RF Wade Moore chopped a double through the right side to carry the Suns to a 6-5 advantage.
Off LHP Ryan Demmin, the Tourists hung one run the home half of the 5th frame on a Laurent single into right field. Laurent was 3-for-5 with four runs scored in the game.
Hagerstown's hitting stars were 2B Adrian Sanchez, who went 5-for-6 with two runs and an RBI, CF Michael Taylor who owned a 3-for-5, two runs scored line, and Freitas after a 3-for-5, two runs scored, two RBI night at the plate.
Hagerstown plated two runs in the 6th stanza and three more an inning later. SS Jason Martinson summoned the first pitch he saw from RHP Taylor Reid screaming into the tree behind the left field wall, his 17th of the season. Then, next inning, Sanchez knocked an RBI single through the six hole, Freitas hooked an RBI one-base knock into center field, and Martinson roped an RBI single out to left field.
However, Asheville scored two runs in each of their last three offensive frames. In the 7th, Laurent cranked a two-run longball over the batter's eye in center field. In the 8th, back-to-back doubles created a pair of runs. Garneau crushed a shot to the right center field alley and DH Mark Tracy blasted a drive onto the right field chalk.
A fateful bottom of the 9th inning for Hagerstown saw RHP Ben Graham (4-4, BS 3), the losing pitcher, blow his third save of the season. Graham allowed a one-out single to 3B Joey Wong to left field. Then, pinch hitter Corey Dickerson hit an 0-1 pitch for a moon shot into the wilderness behind the right field barrier, his 31st of the year to give the Asheville Tourists their fourth walk-off win of the season.
The winning pitcher, LHP Isaiah Froneberger (2-1) went 2.0 innings and gave up no runs and three hits.
The Suns finish their five-game bus trip series, the final road set of the campaign in Asheville with the Tourists at 7:05pm on Tuesday night. Hagerstown will summon RHP Matt Swynenberg (6-3, 3.61) to the mound to faceoff with AshevilleRHP Josh Slaats (7-2, 4.26) in the series finale. Live radio broadcast coverage will begin with the 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on the Radio Flagship of Suns Baseball, WJEJ AM 1240.
The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate 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 Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.
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