Grays lose to Rockville in ninth

​Andrew Houghton | 6/27/13

Vincent Corbi (UMD Baltimore) hit a walk-off single as the Rockville Express beat the Grays 4-3 on Thursday.  With the score tied 3-3, the Express quickly put runners on first and third with one out in the bottom of the ninth, setting the stage for Corbi, who singled off reliever Jayson Yano’s (Stevens Tech) first pitch to end the game.  The Express had taken an early lead, loading the bases in the third and then scoring twice off a groundout and a wild pitch.  They scored again in the fourth on a sacrifice fly and appeared to be in control with starter Daniel Gurganus (York College) shutting down the Grays bats until the eighth, when new arrival Kelton Caldwell (BYU) tripled home shortstop DJ Miller (Delaware State).

With no outs and Caldwell on third, the Grays looked poised to perhaps add another run, but Gurganus escaped the jam when the next batter flew out to center field and Bryan DeRosario (Shepherd College), running for Caldwell, was thrown out at the plate.  The Grays would not be deterred by this, however.  Rockville closer John Kovalick (Slippery Rock) entered the game in the ninth and got two quick outs, but the Grays battled back, loading the bases on two walks and a dropped third strike.  With the game on the line, Miller came through for the Grays, doubling to right to score two runs and tie the game.  Even with outfielder Brandon Kiser (Grambling State) flying out to end the rally, the Grays looked poised to go to extra innings, but the Express had other plans, with Corbi’s single ending it.

Starter Chunner Nyberg (BYU) pitched well for the Grays, giving up just the three runs and striking out three over eight innings. The loss dropped the Grays record to 7-8.

The Grays play next on Friday, June 28 at 7:00 pm against the Presstman Cardinals at Joe Cannon Stadium in Hanover, Maryland.