Beau Parker lined a two-out single to centerfield with the bases
loaded in the 12th inning to give GSW a 7-6 victory over Auburn
Montgomery on Monday evening at Hurricane Stadium. The 'Canes
record improved to 24-16. With six games remaining - all on the
road and more if they win in the PBC Tournament - GSW is assured a
winning record at season's end for the first time in four
years.
The 'Canes took the lead early on Monday, scoring two runs in
the first. Trent Dooley belted an RBI double and Paschel
Poston delivered an RBI single to give GSW a 2-0 lead.
GSW added a run in the second when Chris Lingham scored from
third on Kevin Carroll's fielder's choice groundout.
The lead opened to 4-0 in the fourth when Parker
scorched a triple to right-center field, bringing Bud Long
around to score.
Auburn Montgomery cut the lead in half in fifth
when three walks, a wild pitch and a pair of stolen bases
accounted for the Senators' offense throughout the inning.
GSW got a run back in the bottom of the fifth on Byron
Haynes' RBI double and added another run in the
sixth off an RBI single from Long to extend the advantage
back to four runs at 6-2.
AUM started the seventh with a walk and a hit batsman
and capitalized on the free passes by following
with a two-run single and an RBI double to bring the score to
6-5.
It stayed a one-run game until the ninth when Auburn
Montgomery's Todd Cherry belted a one-out double to deep center
field to score Charles Lester.
AUM threatened in 11th, putting runners on first and second with
one out after back-to-back singles, but GSW hurler Corey
Hawes struck out the next to batters to end the inning.
In the 12th, Dooley led off with a walk and was moved to
second on a sacrifice bunt by Haynes. The next batter,
Michel Coffey, hit a comebacker to the mound where AUM pitcher
Chris Allen caught Dooley between second and third. Dooley
escaped the rundown and advanced to third when Allen bobbled a
throw from the third baseman and in the process, Coffey advanced to
second base. The next batter, Heath Lock, was intentionally walked,
setting the stage for Parker's game-winning heroics.
Parker was one of three 'Canes batters to finish with three
hits in the contest. Parker went 3-for-6 with a triple, two RBIs
and a run scored. Long went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a
walk. Dooley finished 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a walk and
three runs scored.
Cherry led AUM with a 3-for-6 night that included two doubles
and two RBIs. Lester, Matt Arrighi and Justin Williams had two
hits apiece for the Senators.
Stephen Daneman (2-0) picked up the win for GSW by tossing a
scoreless 12th inning. Hurricane starter Chris Carroll went 6
2/3 innings and allowed four runs on four hits while striking out
four and walking six. Hawes threw four innings of relief
and allowed one run on four hits while striking out four.
Tanner Gordon (0-3) took the loss for AUM, pitching 2 2/3
innings before making way for Allen. The one run Gordon was
credited with was unearned.
A total of 10 pitchers were used in the game - six by AUM, four
by GSW.
The Hurricanes hit the road for the remaining five games of
the regular season. Next up is a trip to Thomasville on
Wednesday to face Thomas University at 5 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
Monday's victory was the 135th coaching
victory for Bryan McLain at GSW moving him up to third
all-time - passing Barry Davis - on the GSW list. Next
up? Bill Haywood with 246 wins.
Zack Stanton's hitting streak was snapped at 20
games. Congratulations, Zack on a great run.
The Hurricanes finish the 2010 season 17-6 at home;
their best showing at Hurricane Stadium since 2002
when the 'Canes finished 49-12 overall and 26-6 at
home.
