Another win for red-hot Grays

GAME RECAP   7-19-2015

By: Anna Dunlavey; @annadunlaveyy

The DC Grays had their second 9-2 home victory in two days yesterday afternoon when they beat the FCA Herndon Braves. It was the first of two games in a row that these two teams will play against each other at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. The Grays have now improved to a record of 17-20 on the season.

​The Grays wasted no time putting runs on the board, scoring twice in the first inning. CF Tony Holton (Jackson State) and C Kurt Sinnen (Old Dominion) both walked, and Holton stole third. DH Quinn Carpenter (Texas Tech) scored Holton on a single, and LF Lamar Briggs (Jackson State) scored Sinnen on a double. The score remained 2-0 until the fourth inning, when the Grays scored five runs on two hits.

​RF Harrison Bruce (University of San Francisco) led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk, and Holton followed by getting hit by a pitch. Sinnen hit what was meant to be a sacrifice bunt, but ended up reaching first, scoring Bruce, and moving Holton to third when the ball was fumbled by the Braves. Sinnen stole second and Shaver walked to load the bases. Holton scored his second run of the game when Carpenter was hit by a pitch. Sinnen scored as SS Drew Reid (Harvard) was put out at first, Shaver scored on a single from 3B Keifer Rawlings (Bucknell). Carpenter scored on a single from 2B Mike Caputo (Seton Hall).

​Although the Braves got two runs on the board in the top of the fifth, they gave the Grays another in the bottom of the inning. Holton singled, Carpenter was hit by a pitch again, Briggs walked, and Reid drew a walk with the bases loaded and two outs. Bryan Baquer (Washington College), pinch running for Holton, scored the run and took over at centerfield.

​In the top of the seventh, the Grays made a number of defensive changes–Shaver moved to catcher, Scottie Sanders (Southeastern Louisiana) took over at first base, and Jackson Kramer (Lafayette) went to shortstop. Sanders delivered at the plate in the bottom of the seventh, leading things off with a single and advancing to second on a wild pitch. Briggs scored him on a single for the Grays’ ninth and final run of the game.

​Starting pitcher Ryan Garner (Memphis) walked six in five innings of work, but he only gave up two hits and two runs. He also struck out two batters and notched the victory. Dan Jarrell (Washington College) took over in the sixth, and threw for three innings, striking out three batters and giving up no runs, hits, or walks. Steve Ghiardi (Millersville) pitched the ninth, and although he walked one batter, he didn’t give up any hits or runs.

​Tonight, the Grays and the Braves will meet again at the Nationals Youth Academy, this time at 7pm. Maverik Buffo (Brigham Young) is the probable starting pitcher for the Grays.

POST GAME INTERVIEW