York 7, Charleston 6
(May 29, 2024 – York, Pa.): The York Revolution came from behind to knock off the Charleston Dirty Birds, 7-6 on Wednesday night at WellSpan Park. The Revs’ third straight victory overall secured a series win and moved the Revs two games ahead in first place in the North Division.
Rudy Martin Jr ignited the offense with a 4-for-5 performance including legging out the go-ahead infield single with two outs in the eighth as the Revs pulled off their second last at-bat victory in the past three contests.
Charleston scored first in the second inning as Rusber Estrada doubled home a run. Back-to-back run scoring doubles in the third inning by Keon Barnum and Tillman Pugh provided three more, spotting Charleston an early 4-0 lead against York lefty Zach Neff.
York could not get much going against Charleston starter Gabriel Rodriguez in the first three innings, totaling two hits and a walk but nothing across in the first three frames.
Fortunes turned in the fourth, however ash Neff retired the Dirty Birds in order in the top half.
In the bottom half, Colton Welker put the Revs on the board with a solo shot to right center, his second homer of the season. With two outs and Jacob Rhinesmith at second base, Kobe Kato hit a ground ball to first base and beat Rodriguez in a foot race to the bag for an infield single. Hustling all the way, Rhinesmith was able to score to bring York within 4-2. Ciaran Devenney followed, blasting a two-run shot deep over the Arch Nemesis in left for his third home run of the series, tying the game at four apiece.
Courtney Hawkins made sure the tie did not last long, driving a home run to right center to lead off the fifth inning, giving the Dirty Birds a 5-4 lead.
Tom Sutera relieved Neff with a runner on second and two outs in the inning. Sutera walked two batters to load the bases before getting Juan Santana to fly out to left field to end the threat.
York had another chance in the bottom of the fifth inning, loading the bases with one out. Rhinesmith hit a fly ball toward the line in left field but Hawkins ran it down and fired a bullet to cut down Martin Jr at the plate. A shove and unkind words after the tag by catcher Rusber Estrada prompted a stare down between the two as benches briefly cleared.
After the skirmish, Sutera retired the first two batters in the top of the sixth before Hawkins cleared the Nemesis for his second solo shot of the game, increasing Charleston’s lead to 6-4 on Hawkins’ 105th career Atlantic League home run, moving him past Jesse Hoorelbeke into ninth on the league’s all-time list.
York knotted things again with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. After Alfredo Reyes led off the inning with a walk, Kato and Devenney peppered back-to-back singles off the Arch Nemesis with Devenney’s scoring a run. Two batters later, Martin Jr knocked a base hit up the middle to score Devenney and tie the game at 6-6.
Sutera retired the side in order in the seventh to cap a strong outing on his 27th birthday, and Moises Lugo (2-0) worked around two leadoff base runners to complete a scoreless eighth.
York again used its hustle in the eighth to take the lead. After Kato led off the frame with a double to right, Martin Jr legged out the game-winning two-out infield single on a grounder to first. Much like Kato’s own hit earlier in the game which scored Rhinesmith from second, Kato raced home from second while the Dirty Birds argued the call, giving York the dramatic 7-6 lead. Martin Jr’s four hit night is the first in 2024 by a York hitter.
Matt Turner retired the side in order in the ninth with a pair of strikeouts to close out his third save and lock down a series win for York.
The Revs will go for the sweep on Thursday at 6:30 PM as Will Stewart eyes his first win of the season, opposite Charleston lefty Mack Lemieux. It continues Ritmo de York presented by Bilingual Conexion and is Motorsports Night presented by BAPS Motor Speedway and Hunger Free Thursday presented by Members 1st Federal Credit Union. Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office.
Notes: York’s 19-12 record is tied with the 2014 club for the best mark through 31 games in franchise history. The Revs have won nine of their last 13 overall. Martin Jr snapped an 0-for-21 drought by going 4-for-5 with two RBI and three steals; it is his first four-hit game since July 4, 2021 with Triple-A Omaha. Kato (3-for-4, double) is now 13-for-24 with six extra-base hits on a seven-game hitting streak. Welker reached base all four times and has reached safely in seven straight plate appearances and 10 of his last 11; he walked twice and has now totaled seven walks in his last four games. Devenney (2-for-4, homer, three RBI) is 4-for-7 with three homers in his last two games and has nine RBI over his last three games. Matt McDermott saw his 15-game hitting streak and league-best 27-game on-base streak snapped. Sutera allowed his first earned run in 14.2 innings on the season. Lugo held the opponent scoreless for the 10th time in 12 appearances. Turner handled his sixth straight scoreless appearance and 12th overall in 13 outings. York evens its home record for the season at 8-8.
Gastonia 5, Long Island 2
(Central Islip, N.Y., May 29, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Gastonia Baseball Club 5-2 on Wednesday night in the middle game of a three-game series at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Chad Smith plated the game’s first run in the second inning, grounding an RBI single through the right side to score Taylor Kohlwey, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead. The teams then traded solo home runs in the third. Justin Wylie went deep for Gastonia against Ducks starter Daniel Corcino, and Tyler Dearden launched one for Long Island off Gastonia starter Mike Wright Jr.
Wylie tied the game at two in the fifth with another solo homer to left-center. Gastonia then took a 5-2 lead with three runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Patrick Mazeika, Eric De La Rosa and Wylie.
Wright Jr. did not factor into the decision but pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowing four hits and two walks with one strikeout. Sean Poppen (2-1) earned the win, tossing three and two-thirds scoreless innings, yielding one hit while striking out three. Corcino (2-2) took the loss, conceding five runs on six hits and a walk in five and two-thirds innings with five strikeouts. Phoenix Sanders collected his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
The Ducks and Gastonia Baseball Club wrap up their three-game set on Thursday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). It’s Golden Ticket Night, and the Ducks will be hiding special golden tickets throughout the ballpark. Those finding tickets can redeem them for a special prize from the team. It’s also a Thirsty Thursday, and fans can enjoy a special buy one, get one half-price offer on EBBS craft beer throughout the game. The Duck Club restaurant and bar on the suite level will be open for all fans to enjoy as well. Left-hander Emilio Marquez (1-2, 3.86) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Gastonia southpaw Nick Wells (0-0, 0.00).
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on FloBaseball by CLICKING HERE.
Lexington 10, High Point 6
HIGH POINT N.C – A five-run eighth inning for Lexington proved to be the difference as the Legends took game two of their series with the High Point Rockers by a 10-6 score on Wednesday night at Truist Point.
Lexington held a 5-2 lead entering the eighth when it sent nine men to the plate and scored five times with Drew Jemison and Osmy Gregorio each delivering two-run base hits.
Trailing 10-2 in the bottom of the eighth, the Rockers made a strong push to tie the game. A double by Colin Moran, a walk to Zander Wiel and a throwing error on Lexington pitcher Carlos Martinez loaded the bases. Martinez then walked Jack Washer and Brian Parreira to bring home a pair of runs. D.J. Burt hit a sac fly for the third run of the inning and Ryan Grotjohn delivered an RBI single as the Rockers cut the margin to 10-6. But neither team scored in the ninth.
A solo homer from Ben Aklinski in the first put the Rockers up 1-0. Aklinski now leads the team with eight home runs this season.
The Legends responded in the second inning with an RBI double from Jemison and an RBI single from Gregorio to take a 2-1 lead.
High Point drew even at 2-2 in the bottom of the second after Evan Edwards doubled, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a passed ball.
The Legends plated three runs in the third to take a 5-2 lead. An RBI double from Pedro Gonzalez and another RBI single from Gregorio brought home two runs. Keenan O’Brien scored on a sac fly from Aldenis Sanchez for Lexington to grab a 5-2 advantage.
The Legends reached High Point starter Neil Uskali (L, 0-2) for six hits and five runs during his three innings of work. Lexington starter Jose Acuna (W, 1-3) worked five inning, holding the Rockers to two hits while walking six and striking out seven.
High Point relievers David McKay and Braeden Ogle held off the Legends with two hitless innings each heading into the eighth. Lexington scored all five runs off reliever Garrett Schilling who yielded four hits with a walk and a strikeout.
The Rockers slipped to 18-12 for the season and now trail Gastonia (22-9) by 3.5 games in the race for the Atlantic League’s South Division first half title.
The final game of the three-game series with Lexington will take place on Thursday, May 30th at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point.
Lancaster 3, Staten Island 2
The Lancaster Stormers have figured out the late innings.
For the second time in the last three games, the Stormers rallied for a late come-from-behind win, scoring twice in the ninth for a 3-2 victory over Staten Island early Wednesday. It was Lancaster’s third consecutive win.
With one out in the ninth, Cristian Santana grounded a single into left and departed for pinch runner Gaige Howard. Chris Proctor followed with a grounder to first baseman Luis Castro’s, whose throw to second ended up in left field, giving the Stormers runners at the corners with one out. Joseph Carpenter ripped a single into left off Robbie Baker (1-2) to tie the game. Shawon Dunston, Jr. followed with a base hit to center, scoring Proctor for the 3-2 lead.
James Hoyt surrendered a one-out single to left by Nate Scantlin in the bottom of the ninth. After Castro fanned for the second out, the Stormers had a choice between facing former big league All-Star Pablo Sandoval or cleanup hitter Joe Dunand. Manager Ross Peeples opted for the latter, walking Sandoval intentionally. The move worked as Dunand flied out to right as Hoyt chalked up his third straight save.
Staten Island scored twice on starter Carsie Walker in the first inning. Scantlin singled on the right-hander’s first pitch, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball. Castro drew a walk and was forced at second by Sandoval. After Dunand fanned, Ben Norman and Robert Brooks stung consecutive singles to drive Sandoval home for the 2-0 lead. Kolby Johnson walked to load the bases, but Walker struck out Korry Howell with his 42nd pitch of the inning.
Four other times in the game, the FerryHawks left a runner at third without scoring again.
Lancaster finally reached the scoreboard against Matt Reitz in the sixth. Kyle Kasser reached on a one-out single and stole second with two gone. Trace Loehr’s single to left produced the run.
Carter Raffield (1-0) earned the win. The right-hander threw a strike to Norman, then missed with 11 straight pitches before coaxing a double play out of Johnson. He retired Howell on a routine fly to left to escape the jam.
The series finale takes place at 6:30 on Thursday evening. Either Max Green (1-3) or Jack Labosky (1-1) will take the mound for the Stormers against Staten Island ace Christian Capuano (5-0). Fans may tune into FloBaseball, starting at 6:25,
NOTES: Carpenter’s single extended his streak to seven games…Santana has hit safely in 23 of 25…Dunston is batting .385 (15-39) in his last 12 games…The bullpen has not allowed a run in 9 2/3 innings in the winning streak…The game marked the first time this season the Stormers won without scoring five runs.
Southern Maryland 7, Hagerstown 3
In an exciting matchup on May 29, 2024, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs triumphed over the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars with a score of 7-3.
The Blue Crabs struck early, scoring a run in the first inning and another in the third. Michael Wielansky’s solo home run in the third inning contributed to their lead. Hagerstown responded in the fifth inning when Christian Sepulveda singled, driving in a run to make it 2-1.
The game intensified in the sixth inning. After Southern Maryland went scoreless in the top half, Hagerstown’s Abiatal Avelino and Andres Noriega each drove in a run, putting the Flying Boxcars ahead 3-2.
However, Southern Maryland took control in the eighth inning, scoring four runs. Juan Kelly’s triple brought in two runs, and Gabe Wurtz’s second home run of the season extended their lead. The Blue Crabs added another insurance run in the ninth inning, securing the victory.
Southern Maryland’s pitching staff delivered a solid performance. Starter Ian Kahaloa allowed just one run in five innings while striking out six. Despite a shaky sixth inning from Hunter Schilperoort, who gave up two runs, Kyle Arjona, Derek Casey, and Endrys Briceno shut down Hagerstown for the rest of the game.
Hagerstown’s starter, Joe Palumbo, allowed two runs over five innings but the bullpen struggled, particularly Enrique Santana, who took the loss after surrendering four runs in just 0.2 innings.
Key performers included Juan Kelly, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and Michael Wielansky, who scored twice and hit a home run. For Hagerstown, Eury Perez had a standout performance with three hits, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Blue Crabs.
The game was played in front of 3,982 fans at a cloudy 69 degrees, wrapping up in 3 hours and 14 minutes.