Blue Eagles Pitchers Dominate In 3-1 Win
Web Posted June 28, 2010

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Blue Eagles allowed only five hits and didn’t allow a run until the ninth inning in an impressive 3-1 win over Asheville Monday night.

Gaither Bumgardner got the win for Spartanburg, allowing four hits and striking out three in six innings of work. George Schaefer, Ryan Traylor, and Chris Knauff gave up a run on just one hit over the final three frames of relief work.

Spartanburg also got a complete effort from a defense that has been shoddy at times this season, causing the Redbirds to leave runners on base in eight of the nine innings.

Aaron Preston was again the offensive catalyst for Spartanburg, going 2-for-4 at the plate and scoring two runs. His flyout to right field in the 5th inning snapped a streak of nine consecutive at-bats in which Preston reached base.

Spartanburg’s bats, which have been missing in action for games at a time this season, provided its pitchers with eight hits on the night. Only one starter failed to reach base. It was a complete offensive performance, the likes of which Coach Ryan Thomas has been looking for all season.

After a loss to the Carolina Stingers last Monday, Thomas said that the bats would wake up if the players stopped thinking about their scoreless streak, which had then reached 23 consecutive innings. He also questioned the team’s mentality, saying that they arrived at the ballpark to play in games rather than to win them. Spartanburg has responded with three wins in its last six games, finally putting together the complete performances it has lacked this season.

The Blue Eagles next home game will be a doubleheader on Saturday, July 3 at 5:00 against the Tennessee Tornado. This will be a 50/50 Night with Impact Sports, where the Blue Eagles will donate half their proceeds to the organization. Tickets are $5 and are available at the gate.