SANFORD, Fla. (July 25, 2011) – The Sanford River Rats defeated the Orlando Freedom, 6-5, in 10 innings at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium Monday night. The win moves Sanford (12-20-1) to a full game ahead of the Winter Haven Loggerheads (11-21) and ties them with the Freedom (13-21) at 11.5 games behind first place.
“Tonight the guys stuck to the approach, and you can see the excitement not just from the players but from the fans as well,” River Rats Head Coach Stephen Piercefield said. “By being able to do the little things: moving guys over, driving guys in, we were able to string quality at-bats together which only helps lead to runs.”
The Rats scored in the first after Ryan Brnovich (Saint Leo University) singled and James Ramsay (South Florida) walked. A wild pitch moved Brnovich to third and Ramsay to second before an Ian MacGeorge (Embry-Riddle) grounder allowed Brnovich to score. Brnovich would finish the night 5-for-5 with three singles, two doubles, and an RBI.
“Ryan played a key role for the Saint Leo Lions offense and tonight proved to be very big, being able to get on base and provide instant offense,” Piercefield said.
The Freedom scored two in the top of the third on the first of two defensive errors. Cory Angelo (West Florida) scored on a third baseman error and Anthony Siler (Brevard CC) was able to come around to third. Kevin Lehane (Jacksonville) singled to plate Siler and make it a 2-1 game.
Brnovich gave some instant offense in the bottom of the third with his first double before MacGeorge racked up his second RBI with a single, scoring Brnovich and tying the game at 2-2.
The Rats kept rolling in the bottom of the fourth as Johnny Mazur (Florida Tech) led off with a walk followed by a Devon Hellett (Flagler) single. Alex Mendez (South Florida) hit a double to score Mazur and Brnovich singled to score Hellett and put the Rats up 4-2.
Orlando once again capitalized on an error in the eighth inning. Lehane reached first on a third baseman’s error that also moved Anthony Coronia (Tampa) to second before Matt Mattone (Palm Beach State) hit a two-RBI single to tie the game.
Brett Allen (Embry-Riddle), who had, until today, only made relief appearances, got the start for Sanford and threw 3 1/3 innings. Robert Stegbauer (Lincoln Memorial University) threw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball in relief.
“Brett did a tremendous job. He’s gone out and done everything we’ve asked and then some,” Piercefield said. “Then Stegbauer came in and really pitched effectively. He got us through the seventh inning and from there it was great to be able to go in and use our bullpen as we have before. The bullpen has been called upon quite a bit and has come through with flying colors.”
Timothy Koons (Fort Scott CC) got the start for Orlando and gave up five hits, four walks, and four runs in his five innings pitched.
The game remained tied into the 10th inning, the second straight extra-innings game these two teams have played.
The Freedom scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. Lehane advanced to first on a fielder’s choice and Mattone took a walk. A double steal moved Lehane to third and Mattone to second with two outs. On the attempt to catch Mattone at second, a moment’s confusion as to whether or not he had been tagged out, allowed Lehane to sneak across home plate to make it 5-4.
Ramsay led off with a single to start the Rats’ half of the 10th, then advanced to second on a passed ball. MacGeorge flied out to center and Ramsay moved to third. TJ Gavlik (North Florida) took a walk then advanced to second on a Ryan Woodrey (Nova Southeastern) groundout.
With two outs and runners at second and third, the Freedom elected to intentionally walk Mazur. Coach Piercefield elected to send in Austin Liput (USC-Upstate) as a pinch hitter.
“A decision had to be made,” Piercefield said. “I went to Austin who’d been swinging a hot bat. It took Hellett and his tremendous defense out of the game but if Austin comes through with the hit, we don’t need the defense in the 11th. It’s a roll of the dice and fortunately Austin came through with a base hit.”
Liput hit a ball that took just long enough to get to first that he was safe and Ramsay came home to tie the game.
Dominic Attanasio (Clemson) then came to the plate. With a .149 average coming into the night’s game, he seemed an unlikely candidate for a hero, but he hit a second dribbling single and beat the throw to first, sending Gavlik home with the winning run.
“I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit early in the count,” Attanasio said. “I’ve been struggling lately so I was just kind of trying to hit one up the middle, get a good bit of wood on it, and get home at a decent time.”
Both Attanasio and Piercefield were quick to dismiss any ideas of motivational words in the dugout.
“We were already fired up trying to get the ‘W’ and we did. We came out on top just like we should have,” Attanasio said.
“If you have to tell a player what to do in that situation, he’s not ready to go. He was up there and had all the belief in himself,” Piercefield said.
The River Rats are at home again for their next game. They host the DeLand Suns (18-17) Tuesday night at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Brandon Cowan is expected to start for the Rats.
Neil Tredray (Valencia College)