Leonida Leads Suns Over Shorebirds

Salisbury, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (45-29) used three RBIs from catcher Cole Leonida to upend the Delmarva Shorebirds (28-45) and take game one of the series, 7-3, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, MD on Monday night.

Reliever Ben Hawkins (3-0) won his third straight decision, delivering three scoreless innings with five strike outs out of the bullpen. Josh Smoker (1) pitched the final two innings and earned the save in his season debut with the Suns on one hit, one walk and one strike out. Suns starting pitcher Chris McKenzie did not factor in the decision, allowing three runs on five hits over four innings.

Leonida hit a solo homer and finished the night with three RBIs, including the game- winner on a sixth inning sacrifice fly. Caleb Ramsey was 3-for-3 with a triple and an RBI while Cutter Dykstra went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.

Shorebirds starter Parker Bridwell took a no-decision after allowing three runs in six innings. Relief pitcher Devin Jones (0-5) was hit for four runs (two earned) on five hits over 3.1 innings for the loss. Brenden Webb went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, while Connor Narron hit a two-run triple for the losers.

The Suns and Shorebirds will play game two of the series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. when LHP Kylin Turnbull (2-4, 4.84) takes the mound against Shorebirds' lefty Matt Taylor (2-4, 3.98).

Suns individual game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans, and group packages are on sale now. For more information and to reserve your seat at Municipal Stadium, call 301-791-6266, or www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.