Matias Leads Legends to Opening Night Victory

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) - The Lexington Legends opened the 2018 season with a victory over the visiting Charleston RiverDogs, showcasing much of the young talent that is on this year's team. Outfielder Seuly Matias led the Legends with two home runs, one of which being the winning run of the night.
In the first inning, the RiverDogs reached on a two-out walk by Steven Sensley. Dalton Blaser followed it up with an RBI double to leftfield, scoring Sensley for the first one of the ballgame for Charleston.
The Legends reached on a leadoff walk in the second inning after MJ Melendez worked the count full. Melendez advanced to third on a single to right field by Travis Jones, and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ricky Aracena, tying the game at one.
With the game still tied at one, Matias blasted his first home run of the night over the left-field bleachers, putting the Legends ahead, 2-1. The RiverDogs had an answer in the fifth by way of a Chris Hess home run, over the left field fence and the game was tied again.
The Legends tried to answer with a big hit in the fifth inning by one of the top prospects on the team. Nick Pratto lined a leadoff double down the leftfield line, and advanced to third on a passed ball by Eduardo Navas. Pratto was joined on the base path when Dennicher Carrasco was hit by a pitch. With runners on the corners, Melendez grounded into a double play and ended the inning.
With two outs in the seventh, Matias stepped up and blasted his second home run of the night over the left centerfield wall which ended up being the winning run of the night. Matias went 2-4 with home runs.
Nolan Watson was strong in his 2018 debut. He tossed 5.0 innings allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits. He struck out five and walked one batter. Joshua Mitchell threw 2.0 innings and did not allow a run on three hits while striking out one. Tyler Zuber closed things out for the Legends in the final two innings, not allowing a run on one hit.
Game two of the four game series is Friday, April 6 at 7:05 p.m. at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. Legends will send LHP Garret Davila (NR) to face RHP Glenn Otto (NR). The first 1,000 fans to enter Whitaker Bank Ballpark will receive a 2018 Legends season magnet schedule sponsored by Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.