Silver evens the series at a game apiece after 6-2 win
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A chilly Halloween night out at Santa Ana Star field saw the Silver team even up the series at one game apiece with Cherry thanks to a 6-2 win in game two. Tuesday’s series opener was cut short due to weather, but it was Cherry that came out the with win in that contest, 4-0 on Wednesday.
The winning pitcher for Cherry in game one was Cody Dye as he pitched all five innings, scattered five hits and allowed no runs while walking one and striking out four. Dye was aided in the start with single runs in each of the first three innings and then a fourth in the bottom of the fifth before the game was called. Jared Mang drove in half of Cherry’s runs with a RBI groundout in the first and a leadoff home run in the fifth.
Brian Coffey took the loss for Silver as he allowed three earned runs in 3.0 innings of work. Tanner Baker and Hayden Schilling both had two hits for Silver in game one.
In game two of the series, Cherry got out to 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Adam Adkins hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Robby Campillo. In the bottom of the inning, however, Brayden Merritt – hitting in the nine-hole, doubled home two runs with the bases loaded as he ripped a ball in the right field corner.
Two innings later, Silver added another run to take a 3-1 lead as Daniel Durazo scored an unearned run.
In the top of the fifth, Cherry pulled to within a run as a leadoff walk to Jake Desiderio came around to score on a single through the left side off the bat of Derek Marshall.
Silver answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning on a RBI fielder’s choice by Brandon Langan scoring Connor Mang, who singled to lead off the frame.
After a scoreless top of the sixth, Silver added two runs of insurance in the bottom half thanks to a pair of sacrifice flies. The first of those came off the bat of Hayden Schilling and scored Cameron Stevenson while the second was hit by Tanner Baker and scored Brayden Merritt.
Blake Walden, who entered the game in the top of the fifth with the score 3-2, made those insurance runs hold up as he got Cherry in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
Walden picked up the save for starter Tristin Lively, who pitched 4.1 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out five. Jack Murano took the loss for Cherry.
Conner Mang had two of the six hits for Silver while Duarazo scored a pair of runs and Merritt recording a pair of RBIs.
Game 3 of the 2018 Cherry and Silver Series will be played on Thursday night with a first-pitch of 6 p.m. at Santa Ana Star Field.