SUNS BEST SHOREBIRDS IN MARATHON OPENER

SALISBURY, MD - Opening day 2008 lasted well into the night for the Hagerstown Suns. Visiting the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Suns snuck away with a 5-4 victory in 14 innings.

In the top half of the 14th, Suns’ DH Stephen King led off with a walk before advancing to second on a wild pitch and third on a ground out by third baseman Trevor Lawhorn. With two outs, catcher Jhonatan Solano hit a fly ball that Delmarva centerfielder David Cash dropped, allowing King to score.

Hagerstown reliever Kai Tuomi retired the Shorebirds in order in the home half of the 14th to seal the win for Hagerstown.

The game almost ended in the 12th, after King scored on a single by Tim Pahuta to give the Suns a 4-3 lead, but the Shorebirds responded with a run of their own when reliever Edulin Abreu uncorked a wild pitch to allow Delmarva to tie the game.

Suns’ first baseman Bill Rhinehart hit the only home run of the game, a solo shot to right field in the sixth inning, giving the Suns a 3-2 lead.

Jeff Mandel started the game for the Suns, and pitched five innings while allowing only two earned runs and striking out eight Shorebirds batters. Erik Arnessen and Terrence Engles combined to pitch five innings of relief without surrendering a run. All-told, the Suns pitching staff struck out 18 batters in the game.

Suns second baseman Jake Smolinksi was the only starter not to reach base, though the Suns combined to strike out 16 times in the game.

The Suns and Shorebirds will continue their series at Arthur W. Perdue stadium in Salisbury, MD on Friday, April 04 at 7:05 PM.

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.