sfoggi posted on July 21, 2011 21:52
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (July 21, 2011) – The Sanford River Rats lost a 5-1 game to the Winter Haven Loggerheads at Chain of Lakes Park. The loss comes as both teams jockey for position in the standings as the playoffs loom large.
“Having a chance to go out against a team that you’re directly chasing is always big because you can make big jumps in the standings. Tonight, we got a great effort despite being short-staffed on the mound,” River Rats Head Coach Stephen Piercefield said. “Every team, regardless of who we’re playing is always for position.”
JR Edwards (Lehigh) started for the Rats and threw for six innings, striking out three but allowing four runs.
Winter Haven (11-19) struck first with back-to-back two-run innings. In the second, Sam Halpern (Barry University) doubled before being sent home on a Kevin Clements (Trinity University) double. Daniel Gonzales (Rice University) singled to score Clements. In the third, Justin Burgess (Montevallo) and Kyle Campbell (Stetson) scored on a wild pitch and a third baseman error to make it a 4-0 game.
The Loggerheads added a fifth run in the seventh after Robert Stegbauer (Lincoln Memorial) issued his one walk of the game to Campbell. A Sean O’Brien (Florida State) double plated Campbell.
“We were able to have Edwards go six innings, only allowing four runs, and Stegbauer with the last two so that was huge in the context of the entire week,” Piercefield said.
Sanford (10-19-1) scored their lone run in the sixth. Ian MacGeorge (Embry-Riddle) singled, then stole second before a passed ball advanced him to third. An error on the first baseman allowed MacGeorge to come home.
The River Rats’ aggressiveness paid off as they racked up five hits, six walks, and a whopping eight stolen bases, but were unable to capitalize.
“It was another game where one hit goes here or there and it could be a completely different outcome tonight,” Piercefield said. “Winning baseball games is great, but it’s also about developing these guys and not hurting them by playing to win at all costs.”
Sanford returns to Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium for some home cooking against the Orlando Freedom (11-20) Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“It’s always a benefit to be at home and with the fans in Sanford it’s a tremendous advantage,” Piercefield added.
The River Rats will also be hosting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Friday night, something that Piercefield identifies strongly.
“Tomorrow is going to be a very special day. It hits home for me personally. My grandmother, my aunt, and my mother have all been affected by breast cancer so anything we can do for the community is something that our guys can rally behind and hopefully give us a little extra. It should be a great experience that these guys can take home.”
Neil Tredray (Valencia College)