Diamond 'Dogs See 9-3 Lead Evaporate In 10-9 Extra Innings Loss To Flames
April 26, 2009 | Baseball
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb led 9-3 after six innings,
and 9-5 heading into the eighth Sunday, but saw Liberty rally for a
10-9 win in 11 innings.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (21-18, 10-8 Big South) got RBI singles from
Justin Loyd and Kurt Fulginiti in the bottom of the first,
responding to tie the game, 2-2, after Liberty (29-13, 16-4 Big
South) jumped out early.
Ty Boyles then belted a three-run home run to left in the same
frame, giving the ‘Dogs a 5-2 edge. Liberty plated a run in
the second to trim the lead to 5-3, but Boyles delivered again in
the third, belting another long ball – his 11th of the season
– to left for a 7-3 advantage.
Reliever Jonathon Ban, who came on in the second inning, kept
Liberty quiet in four-straight innings, and Jon Ahearn led off the
bottom of the sixth with a solo home run for an 8-3 lead. Daniel
Cooke singled home Tyler Johnson later that same inning for the 9-3
edge.
Liberty started to inch its way back in the seventh. Pinch hitter
Justin Richardson laced a two-out, two-run double to right to get
the Flames within 9-5, but Ban worked out of the jam with a
four-run lead intact.
Reliever Ryan Maxa came on in the top of the eighth, and got in
trouble quickly, allowing P.J. Jimenez, Matt Williams and Curran
Redal to reach to load the bases. After a strikeout, Errol
Hollinger stepped up and drilled a 1-0 fastball over the fence in
left for a line-drive grand slam, tying the game. Maxa worked out
of the inning, but the Flames had gained momentum for good.
Gardner-Webb went quietly in the eighth and ninth, and worked out
of what appeared to be sure disaster in the top of the 10th. The
combination of Maxa, Michael Lewis and Jake Watts stranded three
Liberty runners in that frame, giving the ‘Dogs life.
Matt Rizzuto led off the bottom of the 10th with a sharp single to
center, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Aaron Miller, but
was stranded after a fly ball and strikeout recorded by Liberty
closer Andrew Wilson.
Watts' first pitch of the 11th was touched by Trey Wimmer for a
solo home run that glanced just over the plastic top of the left
field fence to give Liberty a 10-9 edge. The Flames would not score
again, but had a lead for the first time since the first
inning.
Justin Loyd rapped a one-out single to right in the bottom of the
11th, but Gardner-Webb could not get pinch runner Matt Sapp home
from second, as Wilson ended the game by coaxing a foul out to
third base.
Gardner-Webb had 11 hits on the day, with Boyles (2-for-5, 2 HR, 5
RBI), Loyd (2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI) and Cooke (2-for-6, RBI) leading
that charge. Watts (1-2) was tagged with the loss, despite allowing
just one run on two hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Ban was strong in his early relief appearance, scattering four hits
and allowing just two runs in 5.1 innings of work.
Wilson (5-2) who took the loss on Friday in relief, picked up the
win Sunday, fanning five batters and allowing just two hits in 4.0
scoreless innings. Starter Cody Brown was touched for seven runs
and six hits in 3.0 innings, but earned a no decision after his
teammates pushed even late in the game.
The Flames fanned a combined 14 Gardner-Webb batters in the game
and walked only three.
Liberty had 16 hits, with Curran Redal collecting four in five at
bats. Hollinger was only 1-for-5, but drove in five runs.
Gardner-Webb will play on Wednesday afternoon at home against North
Carolina A&T (3:00 pm).
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