Raben Homers, Cards Fall
Slugger's shot not enough, Y- D still unbeaten at 4-0
June 19, 2007
By: Joel Godett - Orleans Cardinals Broadcaster
It wasn’t a matter of would he or wouldn’t he, just a matter of when. The answer was Tuesday night, as Dennis Raben (Miami, FL) blasted his first Cape League home run over the left field fence at Eldredge Park, albeit in a 4-2 loss to Yarmouth Dennis.
The two-run shot came with his team down 4-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring Jon Gaston (Arizona) as well tocut the lead in half. But the Cards could do no further damage as the blast went wasted.
Things started well for Orleans. Designated hitter Gaston doubled off Y-D starter Bobby Gagg (Coastal Carolina) to lead off Tuesday’s game between the last four Cape League champs. But w ith Raben at the plate and two out in the first inning, Gaston tried to steal home for the second time this season, and for the second time this season the daredevils’ bluff was called. Gaston was thrown out at home, putting a damper on the Cardinals offense.
It took until the fourth inning for Orleans to record another hit, as Chase D’Arnaud (Pepperdine) bombed a double, and his first Cape League hit, off the top of the left-center field wall. But the misfortune continued in the ensuing at-bat. With two outs, left fielder Nate Freiman (Duke) delivered a laser up the middle, only to watch D’Arnuad get tossed out at the plate to end the inning.
Gagg continued to dominate the contest, finishing the day with a seven inning outing, surrendering no runs on just four hits, while walking and striking out three.
On the other side, Wynn Pelzer (South Carolina) earned his first start for Orleans. The South Carolina student-athlete gave up all four Red Sox runs on six hits over five innings. Pelzer was hurt by control problems in the early going, walking three batters in the second, including one with the bases loaded to score the first run for the Sox.
The big damage came in the 5th when Scott Pickler’s club led off the inning with three straight singles – all three runners would score. The stars for Orleans were Raben and Sam Brown (NC State). Brown relieved Pelzer in the sixth inning and cruised from there. The rising sophomore finished the game for Orleans, striking out nine, including five in a row at one point.
The win improves the Red Sox to 4-0 on the year. Orleans drops to 2-3.
W - Gagg (1-0)
L - Pelzer (0-1)
S - Cassavechia (1)
The 11-Time Cape League Champion Orleans Cardinals continue their 2007 season Wednesday at home with the Wareham Gatemen. Admission to the game at Eldredge Park is free. Coverage here on OrleansCardinals.combegins with the Cardinal’s Clubhouse pregame show at 6:40. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.