SURF RALLY IN THE NINTH BUT FALL TO SUSSEX
June 28 Recap
(Augusta, NJ) - C William Plaza (above) drove in two runs on an RBI single in the ninth, but the Skyhawks (18-17) rallied in the bottom of the inning, to win 3-2 over Atlantic City (17-18) in a Can-Am League game Saturday night at Skylands Park.
Unlike last night's contest, Sussex scored first. In the bottom of the first, CF Ron Perodin was hit by a pitch, and stole second. With two outs, LF Alex Frazier hit a pop fly to second base, but 2B Brad Thoma dropped the ball, and Perodin was able to come around and score.
The Surf were stymied by Sussex starter Kyle Ruwe (6-1). Coming into the game with the most wins in the league, Ruwe dominated Surf hitters all night, and at one point went five consecutive innings where he faced the minimum three batters. He would go eight innings, allowing just six hits, and struck out six.
Sussex scored a second run in the fifth inning when RF Jorge Moreno doubled, and scored on an RBI single from the LF Alex Frazier.
Surf starter Adam Cox (3-2), coming off a fourteen strikeout performance earlier this week against Nashua, was again very effective. He went seven strong, allowing one run on five hits, with seven strikouts and just two walks. He is now second in the Can-Am League with 48 strikeouts.
In the ninth inning, Sussex brought in closer Matt Petrusek (4-0), and the Surf finally got a rally going. SS Anthony Granato, 1B Eddie Kim, and DH Clyde Williams all walked to load the bases. RF Josh Burrus then struck out. With two outs and the Surf trailing 2-0, Plaza roped a single to left that scored two runs and tied the game.
Sussex responded though in the home part of the inning. Perodin reached on a fielder's choice, and stole second. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, SS Kevin Rios, already with five hits in the series, singled to right center, scoring Perodin, and giving Sussex the 3-2 victory. Sussex has now beaten Atlantic City four out of five times this year.
For Atlantic City, Granato went 2-3, and Plaza went 2-4 with the big two out, two RBI single. Tomorrow, the Surf look to avoid the sweep. Aaron Easton (1-2) makes his second start of the year for the Surf. Sussex sends out starter Mark Michael (0-2). Gametime is set for 2:05 PM.