Oct. 31, 2009
LAS VEGAS - Team Scarlet used a three-run seventh inning to come back and win game one of the Fall World Series on Friday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, as Brandon Bayardi scored the game-winning run on a fielder's choice.
Stephen Singer worked the bottom of the seventh to earn the save, giving his team a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, that continues tonight, with game two slated to start at 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Stadium. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to come out and watch the Halloween special.
Singer was pleased that he could come in and seal the win for his squad, giving up a hit and striking out one.
"When I first came out of the bullpen, my heart was racing like it was a regular-season game," Singer said. "I threw the first ball high and had to step back off the mound, take a deep breath and get my head right. At that point, I felt like I was able control my breathing and prepare to make some quality pitches."
Scarlet had a 3-2 lead after three innings but Nolan Clark delivered in a big way, drilling a three-run home run that put Team Black up, 5-3. The blast came after Duncan Satherlie singled to start the inning and then Brian Gilbertson drew a walk to put a pair of runners on. Scarlet starter Tanner Peters got the next two batters and was nearly out of the inning, but Clark's round tripper moved his team back in front.
"I felt like I hit it good, but I didn't know off the bat it was out of the park," Clark said. "I just put my head down and ran."
Glenn DeWeese worked three strong innings of relief for Team Black, and then turned the game over to Jordan Lee in the top of the seventh, but Scarlet fought back in the game's final frame.
Jarred Frierson doubled to lead of the inning and then scored on an error, making it 5-4, and then Drew Beuerlein scored on a single by Kyle Kretchmer, knotting the game at five. Team Black got the first out of the game on a fielder's choice, as a runner was thrown out at home, but a batter later Bayardi scored as Team Black could not turn a game-ending double play, making the score 6-5.
"It was a tough loss for the Black squad tonight," UNLV head coach Buddy Gouldsmith said. "We jumped out to an early lead in the first by executing the bunt and running the bases well. Glenn DeWeese came in tonight and did a good job for us on the mound. His experience and poise really showed. Tonight's game definitely had more of a spring feel to it. I think that both teams got their juices flowing a little bit tonight and the game sped up on them."
The win went to Scarlet reliever Bryce Miller, who got the final out of the sixth inning in relief of Peters, while the loss went to Jared Lee. Frierson finished the game with three hits for Team Scarlet, while the Black offense was paced by Clark, who finished the game with two hits.
