SUNS BEAT BLUECLAWS IN SERIES OPENER

LAKEWOOD, NJ – The Hagerstown Suns (3-1) started their four game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws (1-4) on the right foot Tuesday night, winning 5-2.

Suns starting pitcher Hassan Pena (1-0) made his 2008 debut, earning the win after pitching five shutout innings. Pena allowed four hits and one walk while striking out just one Lakewood batter.

Suns reliever Erik Arnesen continued his torrid start, pitching two innings and striking out four batters. Arnesen has yet to allow an earned run this season.

Lakewood starter Drew Naylor (0-2) took the loss for the BlueClaws. He allowed three runs, but only one was earned, as he struck out six batters in five innings of work.

First baseman Bill Rhinehart was the offensive star of the game for Hagerstown. Rhinehart had two doubles and a walk, with an RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Dan Lyons also had two hits for Hagerstown.

The Suns started off the scoring with three runs in the third inning, including two unearned runs coming off an error by Lakewood outfielder Dominic Brown. Brown dropped DH Tim Pahuta’s two-out fly ball, allowing Michael Burgess and Stephen King to score.

In the sixth inning, Michael Burgess hit his second home run as a Hagerstown Sun, an opposite field blast with nobody on base. The Suns also scored a single run in the seventh inning.

The Suns and BlueClaws will play game two of their three game series on Wednesday, April 9th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M., and the Yellowbook USA Pre-Game Show will start at 6:20 on True Oldies, 95.9 FM. The Suns first home game will take place on Friday, April 11th at 6:35 P.M. against the Lake County Captains.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class “A” affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.