The Harrisburg Senators defeated the Bowie Baysox 10-9 in 13 innings in a thrilling victory on opening night in Minor League Baseball. The teams combined to score 11 runs in extra innings and Zach Collier's three-run home run in the 13th was the difference.
The Harrisburg Senators defeated the Bowie Baysox 10-9 in 13 innings in a thrilling victory on opening night in Minor League Baseball. The teams combined to score 11 runs in extra innings and Zach Collier's three-run home run in the 13th was the difference.
Following a scoreless first, the Senators jumped to an early lead in the second. After Taylor Gushue and Kelvin Gutierrez walked, Collier drove in both with an RBI single to put the Senators up 2-0.
The Baysox responded with a run in the second on a run scoring single by Martin Cervenka.
The Senators added a run in the fifth to expand the lead. Collier and Rafael Bautista singled and doubled to start the frame and Daniel Johnson knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly to center to give the Senators a 3-1 advantage.
After the Baysox cut the lead in half with a run in the sixth, Anderson Feliz hit a two-run home run off Ismael Guillòn to put the Baysox ahead 4-3 after seven.
The lead was short lived as Jacob Wilson drubbed a solo home run in the eighth to tie the game 4-4.
The game remained tied until the 10th when Dan Gamache singled in Johnson, who was automatically placed at second to start the frame. However, the Baysox responded with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame to square the game at 5-5.
The sequence repeated in the 11th. Yadiel Hernandez drove in Kelvin Gutierrez to put the Senators in front but in the bottom half of the frame, with the Baysox down to their last strike, Cedric Mullins tripled to right to plate the tying run.
Each teams traded scoreless innings in the 12th, until the Senators broke the game open with four runs in the 13th. Hernandez singled in a run to start the frame and one batter later Collier launched a three-run home run to expand the lead to 10-6.
Bowie plated three runs in the 13th, but Roman Mendez stranded the tying run at first to seal the 10-9 victory. Kaleb Fleck (1-0) earned the win after allowing a run in two innings of relief and Lucas Long (0-1) took the loss after surrendering four runs, three earned, in the 13th. Collier led the way for the Senators on offense, finishing 3-5 with a home run and five RBI.
The Senators and Baysox play game two of the season opening four game series Friday night. Starting pitcher Jefry Rodriguez makes his Senators debut opposite Bowie starter Jordan Kipper. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Prince George's Stadium.
