Grays lose pitchers duel

GAME RECAP 6-24-2015

By: Anna Dunlavey; @annadunlavey

​Last night’s game between the DC Grays and the visiting FCA Herndon Braves was a scoreless battle until the top of the ninth inning — when the Braves scored the only run of the night to beat the Grays 1-0. The Grays’ record now stands at 7-12 on the season.

Starting pitcher Connor Van Hoose (Bucknell) had an outstanding outing. He pitched seven innings, his longest outing of the season. Van Hoose only gave up four hits, struck out six batters, and did not walk anybody.

​Marlon Pruitt (Grambling State) took over in the eighth inning, and although he gave up no hits in the eighth inning, he ran into trouble in the ninth.  After Pruitt walked two batters in a row with one out, the next batter hit into what could have been a double play. 1B Colton Shaver (Brigham Young) fielded the grounder, tossed the ball to SS Drew Reid (Harvard) for the first out, but as Reid threw the ball back to first, the Braves runner slid into him, affecting his throw. Shaver and Pruitt were both covering first, but neither one could catch the throw, and the Braves runner who had reached third easily scored. Reid Frazier (Penn State) then relieved Pruitt and struck out the final batter.

The Grays did not give up hope entering the bottom of the ninth. The first two batters in the order were quickly retired, but Hunter Southerland (Texas Tech) walked. Desmond Stegall (Grambling State) came out to pinch run for Southerland, and then Reid singled. With two runners on and two outs, Tony Holton (Jackson State) hit a blast to left center. It looked like it would drop for a hit, but the Braves centerfielder made a diving catch to rob the Grays of the tying run and Holton of his tenth RBI on the season.

​The Grays have a day off today before beginning a week of road games. On Friday night, they will travel to Alexandria to play the Alexandria Aces.