Suns Walk-Off in 3-2 Win
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns (5-1) used late-game magic from Shariff Othman to defeat Montgomery (1-6) 3-2 in 10 innings Thursday night from Bragan Field.
Hear from Suns Manager David Berg Postgame:
Greg Nappo (W, 1-0) earned the victory out of the bullpen tossing a perfect 10th inning for Jacksonville out of the bullpen. Matt Lollis (L, 0-1) took the loss after surrendering the game-winning hit off the bat of Shariff Othman in the bottom of the tenth.
The scoring began in the bottom of the sixth when Matt Juengel blasted a RBI double off the left field wall scoring Zack Cox to jump the Suns in front 1-0 through six innings of play.
In the top of the seventh, a leadoff opposite field home run off the bat of Tyler Goeddel (HR, 1), against Suns reliever Matt Tomshaw, quickly knotted the score at one apiece.
Moving to the eighth frame a lead off double by Daniel Robertson, followed by a groundout moving him to third, would set the table for Patrick Leonard's RBI groundball that pushed the Biscuits in front for the first time by a 2-1 tally.
In the last of the eighth, against Biscuits reliever Mark Sappington, a leadoff walk from Austin Nola and a Juengel single, set up a fielding error charged to Biscuits third baseman Richie Shaffer that would bring home the tying run in the form of Austin Nola who reached via a leadoff walk to make the count even at two.
The Suns would have the bases loaded, and two outs in the ninth when Biscuits reliever Mark Sappington retired Viosergy Rosa on a fly out to center to end the threat.
Moving to extras, Shariff Othman at the plate, and two runners on, Othman would provide a spark ripping a walk-off double scoring Lopez to give the Suns a 3-2 win.
Suns starter Chipper Smith lasted 5.1 innings allowing only one hit four walks while striking out six in his no decision. Montgomery starter Austin Pruitt, was not the pitcher of record, but was impressive after hurling seven innings allowing one earned run on six hits while walking two and striking out seven.
The Suns and Biscuits will square off for the third game of the series from Bragan Field Friday with a first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. The Suns will send out right-hander Kendry Flores (1-0, 1.80 ERA) to the mound and he'll be opposed by Montgomery righty Jared Mortensen (0-0, 1.50 ERA).
Friday is Suns Beach Sunglasses Giveaway, Scout Night #1 and Friday Family Fireworks! The first 3,000 fans will receive a pair of Suns Sunglasses, courtesy of Memorial Hospital & 1010XL! It's Scout Night #1 and all scouts are invited to camp out on the field after the game and watch a Midnight Movie! Plus stick around after the game as we light up the skies with the best fireworks show in town with the NAPA Friday Family Fireworks courtesy of your local NAPA Auto Care Center Dealers!
Suns fans can also listen to Friday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 100.3FM/600 AM WBOB or through www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com, or the TuneIn radio app, with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show beginning at 6:50 p.m. ET
The 2015 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season/individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.
Here are highlights from tonight's contest: