Suns blank Hickory

June 12, 2012|By BOB PARASILITI | bobp@herald-mail.com

HAGERSTOWN — The Hagerstown Suns aren’t just winning.

They are physically knocking people out of the way to do it.

Steven Souza Jr.’s played enforcer for the Suns by bowling over Hickory catcher Kellin Deglin to score the first run in a three-run fourth inning to lead Hagerstown to a 4-0 rain-shortened victory over the Crawdads on Tuesday at Municipal Stadium. The game was called after 5 1/2 innings following a 35-minute rain delay.

The three-run outburst broke a scoreless tie and set the stage for Hagerstown starter Alex Meyer to a six-inning, two-hit complete game. Meyer (6-3) walked one and struck out five as the Suns recorded their second straight shutout of the Crawdads. Hagerstown beat Hickory 9-0 on Monday.

With the win, the Suns (40-24) moved within 1 1/2 games of the lead in the South Atlantic League Northern Division as Greensboro (42-23) split a doubleheader with Kannapolis. The Grasshoppers won the completion of Monday’s suspended game before losing the nightcap in walk-off fashion.

Meyer and Hickory’s Luke Jackson dueled for the first three innings until the Suns bulldozed into the lead in the fourth.

Souza got the rally started with a two-strike, two-out single to right. Caleb Ramsey slapped a single to right-center with Souza running. Hagerstown manager Brian Daubach kept the wet outfield in mind and sent Souza home.

The relay throw bounced off Kellin Deglin glove and left him in the path of the charging Souza, who bowled over the catcher while getting to the plate.

Deglin is the second opposing catcher in as many homestands to be buried by a Suns baserunner. Kannapolis’ Kavan Smith was knocked out of the game after being barreled over by Suns runner Matt Skole on June 4.

After Justin Miller was hit by a pitch, Cole Leonida hit an RBI single and Billy Burns beat out a run-scoring bunt single to third to give the Suns a 3-0 lead.

The Suns upped their lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning as Jason Martinson drew a one-out walk before taking third on a stolen base and error by Hickory shortstop Hanser Alberto. Skole singled to right to score the run.

Meyer retired the Crawdads in order in the sixth before the rain turned heavy, causing the tarp to be pulled.

Meyer only allowed a double to Deglan in the third inning and a sixth-inning single to Jordan Akins.

Brian Goodwin led the Suns with two hits.

Jackson (5-5) took the loss after allowing the four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven.

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