April 12, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. - In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with Alabama Huntsville, the Argos let one slip away, as they led 3-2 going into the top of the seventh inning in a game scheduled for seven innings. However, the Chargers scored twice to go ahead 4-3. After the Argos tied it in the bottom of the seventh, an unearned run in the eighth inning gave the Chargers a 5-4 win over UWF.
With the doubleheader sweep by UAH, the Argos have their backs against the wall, in regards to their chance to defend their 2007 GSC championship. However, they did receive help on Saturday, as North Alabama lost once, and West Georgia lost twice. The Argos, along with West Georgia, only have four conference wins, while the fourth place North Alabama Lions only have five wins; therefore, the Argos, who have their final four conference games at home, are still alive with conference tournament hopes. Only the top four teams from each division make the conference tournament.
The Chargers opened game two with a pair of first inning runs, and then the Argos chipped away with one run in each of the second, third, and fourth innings, to take a 3-2 lead. That lead would hold up until the top of the seventh inning. Eventually, the Chargers would down the Argos in 8 innings, by a 5-4 score. The doubleheader loss dropped the Argos to 18-28 on the season, and 4-10 in conference play, while UAH improved to 16-26.
Billy Whitaker gave up two runs in the first inning on a pair of hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Whitaker would settle down nicely, and pitch an outstanding 6 1/3 innings, before giving way to Sixto Velasco. Velasco would end up getting a hard luck loss by allowing an unearned run in the eighth inning for the loss.
After the two run first inning, the Argos got one run back in the second inning, when Jon Reed doubled, and scored on a Craig Westcott single. Then, West Florida tied the score in the third inning, when Kyle Andrews singled and stole second base for his 15th steal of the season. After advancing to third on a groundout, Andrews scored on a Greg Pron sacrifice fly to right field.
The Argos would take a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning, as Jon Reed started the rally with a bunt single. After Reed stole second base, he would advance to third on a wild pitch. Westcott would then score Reed from third base on a groundout, for the go ahead run. The lead would hold up until the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, back to back singles started the inning, and then after a stolen base put runners at second and third, Whitaker struck out the next batter. Then, after a walk, a two run single up the middle gave the Chargers a 4-3 lead. Sixto Velasco came in to end the inning by getting a double play groundout. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Argos rallied and had a great chance at pulling out a win. Brandon Brewer singled with one out, and stole second base. Greg Pron then followed with a shallow single to center to put runners on the corner. Pron would then steal second base, and the Argos had the tying and winning runs in scoring position with only one out. Pinch hitter Steven Bingert laced the second pitch he saw to centerfield, but the line drive carried right to the centerfielder. Brewer would score from third base, but Pron could not advance.
With score tied at four, the teams went into extra frames. Alabama Huntsville scored the go ahead run, which proved to be the winner, in the top of the eighth inning. Sixto Velasco struck out the first batter, only to have the ball get away allowing the batter to reach first base. After a sacrifice bunt, the Chargers plated the winning run on a single to right field. The Argos would go down in order in the bottom of the ninth to suffer the doubleheader defeat.
The final game of the series is Sunday afternoon at Pelican Park. The game is being broadcast on Stretch Internet. Go to the UWF home page, and look for the Stretch Internet link along the right column. Click on the link for instructions for how to listen on the computer or via phone.
