SUNS TAKE TWO FROM CAPTAINS ON SATURDAY

HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (5-3) took both games of Saturday’s doubleheader over the Lake County Captains (5-4) to open up the home season at Municipal Stadium. Game one was a pitchers duel with the Suns getting the better of Lake County 2-0. It was a different story in game two with the Hagerstown offense exploding for an 8-0 blowout.

In game one Colten Willems (1-0) picked up his first win, going six strong innings. The young righty fanned four Captains and allowed only three hits.

The Suns got what would be the deciding run in the fourth inning off a sacrifice fly by Stephen Englund, scoring Michael Burgess.

Hagerstown also added one more in the sixth. Aaron Seuss was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He then advanced to third on a Michael Burgess Single and was driven in by Stephen Englund’s double.

Suns manager Darnell Coles went to the bullpen in the seventh, and Martin Beno picked up his first save of the season allowing only one base runner in his inning of work.

The Suns got another great performance from their starting pitcher in game two. Cole Kimball (1-0) went five scoreless innings to notch the victory.

The Suns scored in the first thanks to Bill Rhinehart’s solo shot to deep right center. It was Rhinehart’s second home run of 2008.

The Lake County pitchers were wild all day, issuing 12 walks, and the Suns took advantage in the third inning. Hagerstown catcher Travis Reagan led off the inning with a walk and then scored from first on a Dan Lyons double.

Rhinehart continued his hot hitting and drove in Lyons with a double of his own to right field. The Suns made it 4-0 on a wild pitch that allowed Rhinehart to score. In the fourth, Hagerstown struck again, with four more runs and Suns relievers Terrence Engles and Edulin Abreu closed it out from there.

Along with the starting pitching, the top third of the line-up was outstanding. Rhinehart and Lyons finished the day a combined 6-12 with 5 RBI and 3 runs scored. Hagerstown and Lake County will finish up the series Sunday afternoon at 2:05.