SURF UNABLE TO RECOVER FROM TORNADOES FIVE RUN FIRST, LOSE 7-3
June 5 Recap

Worcester, Mass. – The Tornadoes offense finally busted open for twelve hits, and jumped on Surf starter Ben Thurmond early, en route to a 7-3 victory in a Can-Am League game Thursday at Fitton Field.

The Surf offense drew first blood off of Tornadoes Starter Tom Cochran (2-0), continuing where it left in games one and two. In the top of the first, SS Anthony Granato led off with a walk, and stole second. RF Josh Burrus, who came in just 3 16 in the series, doubled in Granato, and would later come around to score on an infield single by DH Eddie Kim.

Surf starter Ben Thurmond (1-1) could not maintain the lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Tornadoes offense exploded for five runs on six hits. 1B Chris Colabello doubled in the first two runs. Later, the DH Francisco Caraballo singled to left, scoring Colabello from second. 2B Jeff LaHair singled in runs four and five.

Thurmond would not make it out of the first inning, tossing only two thirds of an inning, his shortest outing of his professional career.

Cochran settled down after the rough first inning, until surrendering a run in the top of the sixth. In that inning, the Tornadoes committed three errors, but the Surf were only able to cross the plate once, on an error that scored 2B Brad Thoma from third.

The Tornadoes provided an insurance run in both the seventh and the eight innings, capped off by a solo homerun off the bat of Colabello.

Righty reliever Ryan Mitchell came on for Cochran, and was brilliant in three innings of work to earn his first save of the season. Mitchell allowed only one hit and punched out four Surf batters.

For the Surf, C William Plaza and Kim each had two hit days. Relievers Ryan Rafferty and Aaron Easton, who came on for Thurmond, combined for five and a third scoreless innings to enable the offense to

The Surf returns home tomorrow night to open up a three game series with the Brockton Rox. Righty Jim Wladyka (0-1) starts for the Surf, going up against Rox starter Rolando Viera (1-1).

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Atlantic City 200 001 000 - 3 8 1
Worcester 500 000 11X - 7 12 4
W: Cochran (2-0) L: Thurmond (1-1) S: Mitchell (1) HR: Colabello (2)
Time: 2:53 Attendance: 2,987