Steamers Win Second Straight to Recapture Top Spot in TSL
By: Patrick Foster
Edenton, NC– The Edenton Steamers jumped back up to first place in the Tidewater Summer League with their second straight win and seventh of the summer over the Greenbrier nights last night at Historic Hicks Field, 9-1. Edenton now shares first place in the TSL with the Old Dominion Hitters who are 6-3.
The Steamers opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first. Alan Alonso knocked in his 10th RBI of the season with a groundout that brought in Brody Rubenstein from third and moved Jared Kauffman to third following a pair of singles that led off the inning.
After holding the Knights scoreless in the top of the second, Edenton took advantage of another early opportunity scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning. The Steamers saw all five runs come across on five hits including a three-run blast from Alan Alonso to bring his RBI total to 13.
Edenton would add one more run in each the third, fifth and seventh innings on two solo shots and score on a wild pitch in the fifth. Houston Wright went deep for the eighth time this summer in the third while Case Haire connected on an 0-1 pitch for his first homer of 2020.
Clams’ starter Jake Rice picked up the win for Edenton after five innings on the bump holding Greenbrier without a run and without a hit with nine strikeouts and just one walk surrendered. Greenbrier picked up their first hit in the top of the seventh inning when pinch hitter Trey Blow singled to shortstop. Blow earned both hits in the contest for Greenbrier as he singled to center in the top of the ninth.
Greenbrier scored their only run of the contest courtesy of a bases loaded walk given up by Steamer closer Daniel Willie. Willie appeared for just one innings and allowed just one unearned run on one hit with two strikeouts.
Greenbrier starter Jason Covaney added the loss to his record after giving up seven earned runs on eight hits with no walks and four strikeouts in three full innings.
Edenton saw three pitchers take the mound out of the bullpen including Brett Fulk, Ray Stocum and Daniel Willie. Including Rice, Steamers pitchers totaled 15 strikeouts against the Knights and gave up three walks and just two hits.
The Steamers out hit Greenbrier 12-2 with Brody Rubentsein and Casey Haire both collecting three hits. Houston Wright and Jared Kauffman also had multi-hit games for the Clams.
The Steamers play their first doubleheader in 2020 on Wednesday night against the Old Dominion Hitters at Historic Hicks Field for the teams’ fifth and sixth matchup of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST for game one.