June 22, 2009

June 22, 2009 -- Robstown, TX -- The hero tonight for Coastal Bend was Dustin Smith. He stepped up with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth. After falling behind 1-2, Smith came through with the game-winning groundball. The soft-roller to short was bobbled by Bronco shortstop Rafael Ozuna allowing Casey Gordon to score the sweep clinching run.

Zach Beal bounced back from this week’s loss with an outstanding performance tonight at Fairgrounds Field. He pitched 6 strong innings allowing 2 runs on 6 Bronco hits. Beal did not factor in the decision however, as Laredo starter Gregorio Martinez was equally impressive. Martinez threw 7.1 strong innings allowing 2 runs on 7 hits.

Dustin Smith getting on base to lead off an inning is a recipe for success the Thunder will look to continue throughout the season. Smith singled to lead of the bottom of the 1st inning and proceeded to steal second and third. One batter later, Leivi Ventura stepped up and drove him in with a sacrifice fly to deep right centerfield.

Coastal Bend tacked on another run in the bottom of the 2nd off Bronco starter Gregorio Martinez. Juvy Ibarra led off with a single but was thrown out when Casey Gordon reached on a fielder’s choice. With Gordon running on the pitch and eventually advancing to third, Chris Lewis singled. The next batter, Thunder catcher Kevin Butler, singled up the middle to drive in Gordon to give the Thunder a 2-0 advantage.

Andres Santos got the Broncos on the board in the 4th with a towering home run to left field. Dave Cardona stepped up next and matched Santos with a homer of his own. The back-to-back homers by the Laredo 5 and 6-hole hitters tied the game at 2.

The Thunder threatened in the top of the 8th but failed to score. Michael Lewis drew a leadoff walk and then stole second. Leivi Ventura grounded out but moved Lewis to up to third. Laredo intentionally walked Manny Mejia and brought in lefty Edgar Soto to face Thunder left-handed batter Juvy Ibarra. Ibarra worked a full count but eventually struck out on a 3-2 curveball. Amadeo Zazueta flew out on the first pitch he saw from Laredo reliever Julio Pinto.

Alex Gett did another exceptional job out of the bullpen for the Thunder. He picked up the win in his 3 innings of work. Gett allowed only 1 hit and just the one base runner.

Thunder second baseman Casey Gordon led of the 9th with a double that just got past a diving effort by Laredo leftfielder David Cardona. Gordon went to third on an error on a pickoff attempt by Bronco reliever Julio Pinto. The Broncos intentionally walked the bases loaded and Gordon would score on a walk-error by the Bronco shortstop.

After an off day tomorrow, the Thunder travel to San Angelo for a 4-game series against the Colts.

--Coastal Bend Thunder