Cave's Walk-Off Double Quenches RiverDogs' Thirst

Cave's Walk-Off Double Quenches RiverDogs' Thirst On Thursday

Charleston scores three in the eighth, two in the ninth to steal series win

CHARLESTON, SC - After being no-hit through six innings the Charleston RiverDogs scored five times in the game's final two frames including a walk-off, two RBI double by Jake Cave to defeat the West Virginia Power 5-4 on Thursday night in front of 4,356 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.

With the win, the RiverDogs are back to .500 at 30-30 in the second half and 69-59 overall. West Virginia falls to 36-23 in the second half and 73-56 overall with the tough loss. Charleston also wins the series 2-1.

Offensively, it was not a good start to the game for the RiverDogs to say the least. West Virginia starter Tyler Glasnow allowed no hits, no runs, walked five, and struck out a career high 13 batters over five innings of work.

The Power didn't score the first fun of the game until the fourth inning when Dilson Herrera and Raul Fortunato both doubled to make it 1-0 West Virginia.

After a couple errors, a hit, and a walk in the seventh, the Power extended their lead to 4-0.

The seventh inning stretch seemed to wake up the Charleston bats from their slumber. Jackson Valera lined a single into left to start the home half of the seventh and break up the no-hitter.

In the eighth inning, a couple doubles by Jake Cave and Greg Bird got Charleston their first run, and then Ericson Leonora's third homer of the year, a two-run shot, cut the Power lead to one run.

Leonora threw out a runner at home to end the top of the ninth inning and keep the game just 4-3. The RiverDogs would not be denied in the bottom of the ninth.

Walks to the first two batters put the game winning run aboard, and then a throwing error on the pitcher on a sacrifice bunt attempt loaded the bases with nobody out. Cave wasted no time roping a double to center field and driving in two runs to win the game for the Dogs.

Cave finished 2-4 with two doubles, two RBI, a walk, and a run scored to pace Charleston offensively.

Eric Wooten started for the RiverDogs and was solid allowing only one earned run, four total, on seven hits in six innings and four strikeouts. Adam Smith threw three scoreless innings and gave up just two hits en route to the win and improved to 5-2 on the year.

Bryton Trepagnier faced two batters in the ninth and walked them both without recording an out. He got tagged with the loss to fall to 5-5 after Lance Breedlove gave up the game winning double to Cave.

BALLPARK FUN: For the second straight night there was a new voice behind the mic at The Joe. PA Announcer Ken Carrington had travel issues and couldn't make it to Charleston in time for the game, so Promotions and Special Events Assistant Haley Kirchner took over and entertained a capacity crowd during the RiverDogs' final Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of 2013! Kirchner is believed to be the first female PA Announcer in the history of Riley Park.

COMING UP: The RiverDogs hit the road to begin their final road trip of the season beginning Friday in Asheville, NC against the Asheville Tourists. Charleston will send out RHP Derek Varnadore (1-6, 3.40 ERA) and the Tourists will start RHP Andrew Brown (6-0, 2.35 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 on Friday night at McCormick Field in Asheville for the first game of the three game series. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/14nTab2

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE.