Anglers Snap Eight Game Skid With 3-2 Win Over Brewster
by Anglers Media Team Thursday, July 22, 2010
Brian Humphries (Pepperdine) raced home from second base on a Brewster error in the bottom of the tenth to give the Anglers a 3-2 win over the Whitecaps at Veterans Field, ending an eight game losing streak. Chatham's record now stands at 13-18-1. Chatham's 27 points is just one behind Orleans' 28 for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division.
Chatham All-Star pitcher Logan Verrett (Baylor) was able to shut down one of the league's best offenses for the most of the night. Verrett struck out a season-high 10 Brewster batters in 8.1 innings of work, while not allowing a walk. Verrett was on the verge of a complete game shutout until running into trouble in the top of the ninth. With a 2-0 lead, Verrett surrendered consecutive singles to Jon Berti (Bowling Green) and Drew Martinez (Memphis). After a sacrifice bunt moved the two runners into scoring position, Andy Burns (Kentucky) tied the game with a two-run double to left. That would be all for Verrett who left to a loud ovation from the crowd of 2035. Matt Brazis (Boston College), who would pick up his third win of the season, relieved Verrett, getting the final two outs of the inning.
Through the first four innings, Brewster starter Matt Crouse (Mississippi) matched zeros on the board with Verrett. However, All-Star Aaron Westlake (Vanderbilt) who was hitting just .077 against left-handed pitchers on the season coming into the game, led off the bottom of the fifth with his third home run of the season. Westlake took advantage of the short porch at Veterans Field, hooking the ball just inside the foul pole to give the Anglers a 1-0 lead. That would be the only run Crouse would surrender on the night in his 5.1 innings. Crouse, who entered the game a perfect 3-0 on the season, would only give up three hits and two walks while striking out four Anglers.
The Anglers added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth off of Brewster reliever Kyle Hendricks (Dartmouth). Humphries doubled to right field to lead off the inning. The hit extended Humphries' current home hitting streak to 12 games, a league high. A Joe DePinto (USC) sacrifice bunt moved Humphries over to third base and he would score on a sacrifice fly from Rick Oropesa (USC).
After the Whitecaps came back to tie the game, the Anglers reverted back to their their walk-off ways from the beginning of the season. Humphries led off the inning with a walk off of Brewster reliever Jake Barrett (Arizona State) who fell to 0-3 on the season. After Humphries moved to second base on another DePinto sacrifice bunt, the Whitecaps elected to intentionally walk Oropesa. Chatham All-Star Joe Pavone (Connecticut) followed with a ground ball that shortstop Taylor Featherston (TCU) couldn't handle, allowing Humphries to score the game-winning run and snapping the eight game skid.
The Anglers will go back on the road Friday night, travelling to Bourne to take on the Braves, with first pitch scheduled for 6pm. Tune in to the broadcast starting at 5:40pm with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show by going to www.chathamanglers.com, or dial in to the TRZ Teamline on your home or mobile telephone at 1-800-846-4700, team code 3841.