Saturday, July 6, 2013

Aces Hold on for 5-4 Win in Gaithersburg

by John Vittas

The Alexandria Aces defeated the Gaithersburg Giants, 5-4 Friday night at Criswell Automotive Field in Gaithersburg.

Alexandria put 21 runners on base in the game but stranded 13.

"All summer we've always had people on base, we just sometimes fail to get them in as tonight shows," second baseman David Schanz said. "But we just keep a simple approach up at the plate and make the goal to get on base and usually it works out well for us."

Schanz went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Brett Carlson and Ryan Mincher reached base four times for Alexandria and Colton Konvicka reached on three occasions.

Colin Milon started the game for the Aces and struggled for the first time this season, surrendering four runs on six hits over six innings of work.

Three of the four Giants' runs came in the second inning, as Milon gave up a two-out, two-run double to Chris Kashangaki. However, the Aces' offense rebounded to take the lead back with runs in the third, fourth and fifth.

"I didn't have my best stuff out there today, but the defense did a good job behind me," Milon said. "I had a rough second inning but the guys went right back out there, tied the game and a couple innings later they got two more. It makes a pitcher feel a lot better knowing that the guys have his back."

The last opportunity for the Giants came in the sixth inning after Milon gave up back-to-back doubles to Josh Ingham and Danny Freshley. Following a mound visit, Milon battled back to get Kory Britton to pop out to right field to end the threat.

"I kind of knew that was my last guy so [coach] came out there and he and Bobby [Burns] calmed me down a little bit and got the job done," Milon said.

With the win, the Aces improve to 10-7 and pull into a tie for fourth place in the 12-team Ripken League.

"It's always good to win a close game, especially when we drop two against these guys the last two times," Schanz said.

Alexandria will head to Silver Spring Saturday to take on the T-Bolts while the Giants will host the Herndon Braves at 5 p.m.

No comments:

Post a Comment