Yankees Split Second Doubleheader With Princeton
PULASKI, Virginia - It was a quiet night at Calfee Park during game one until the Princeton Rays (32-25) offense exploded en route to a 5-1 win over the Pulaski Yankees (24-33). The first three innings of Monday night's doubleheader were scoreless, imitating Sunday night's game two.
Princeton had plans to change that in the fourth inning as centerfielder Jesus Sanchez hit a solo home run to give the Rays the first run of the game. The Rays offense was not done, though. In the fifth inning they had four more runs score as Isaac Benard, Devin Davis, Eleardo Cabrera, and Adrian Rondon all crossed the plate.
Pulaski would answer with one run in the fifth when Victor Rey crossed home plate after a bases-loaded walk by Princeton pitcher Ethan Clark.
Princeton reliever Alex Estrella (1-1) picked up the win in game one while pitching 2.2 innings and giving up no runs and no hits. Pulaski starter Raynel Espinal (1-3) got the loss. Espinal tossed 4.2 innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits.
Game two did not have quite the offensive flair as game one. The Yankees scored two runs in the second inning. Andy Diaz drove in first baseman Brian Reyes before being driven in by shortstop Wilkerman Garcia.
The Rays answered in the fourth with one run as Bobby Melley drove in Sanchez. Sanchez would score again in the sixth inning on an RBI double by catcher Rene Pinto to tie the game 2-2.
When Oswaldo Cabrera stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, he made sure to impress his parents in the crowd. Cabrera singled to get on base before reaching third on a steal. Wilkerman Garcia drove in Cabrera to give Pulaski the 3-2 win.
Pulaski reliever Will Jones (2-2) picked up the win, tossing 1.1 innings and giving up no runs and no hits. Princeton reliever Reign Letkeman (1-3) got the loss, pitching 1.1 innings and giving up one run on two hits.
The Yankees will finish the series against Princeton Tuesday night before traveling to Bluefield for a three game series.