Hotly-Contested Opener Goes to CC

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - Back-to-back doubles by Conrad Gregor and Jio Mier produced three ninth-inning runs as the Hooks edged Arkansas 4-3 Tuesday night at Dickey-Stephens Park.

With the game level at 1, A.J. Reed and Jon Kemmer worked walks to begin the ninth. Following a sac bunt by Alfredo Gonzalez, Gregor hit the first pitch from Chris O'Grady (0-4) onto the warning track in left-center, plating a pair. Mier was next and belted a 1-1 offering off the left-field wall, chasing Gregor home for a 4-1 Corpus Christi lead.

Ignited by a Wade Hinkle lead-off double in the home half, the Travelers (23-22, 59-55) managed two unearned runs against Jandel Gustave. Chad Hinshaw struck out to end the game, stranding the tying run at second base. Gustave, who fanned two in the frame, secured his 14th save of the year.

Hooks starter Chris Devenski hurled six shutout innings. Devenski tied his season high with eight strikeouts and did not issue a walk. He threw 62 of 91 pitches strikes.

Of the four hits against Devenski, only one went for extra bases, a lead-off double by Michael Snyder in the fifth. Arkansas manager Bill Richardson maintained Snyder's ball cleared the left-field fence and was ejected. An argument between the clubs occurred during the delay, prompting the benches to clear. The confrontation did not escalate from there. In the wake of the standoff, Richardson, Hooks pitching coach Doug Brocail and Travs hitting coach Tom Tornincasa were ran from the game.  

When play resumed, a wild pitch placed Snyder at third with no outs. Devenski got two fly balls and a groundout to end the inning.

Meanwhile, Albert Suarez shackled the Hooks (25-20, 73-42) to the tune of two hits over his first six innings.

In the seventh, Jon Kemmer lined a double to left field. An error by Jared Mitchell afforded an extra 90 feet on the play. Two outs later, Kemmer scampered home for the game's first run.

The Travs responded quickly in the home half with a three singles to even the score. Juan Minaya struck out the side and stranded two in the inning.

Minaya pitched a scoreless eighth thanks to a great catch in right field as Kemmer reached over the four-foot fence, robbing Blake Gailen of a two-run home run.

Chris Ellis (5-1, 3.50) is slated to pitch for Arkansas Wednesday night. Joe Musgrove (3-0, 2.08) gets the ball for the Hooks. First pitch 7:10.