OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The Old Orchard Beach Surge (9-4) were defeated by the visiting Sullivan Explorers (6-7) with a final score of 18-6 on Wednesday night at The Ballpark.
The Explorers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, with a solo homerun from designated hitter Kevin Putkonen and an RBI single from first baseman Brian Fay. An error gave them a 3-0 lead in the second.
The Explorers offense came alive in the third inning, scoring eight runs. Niko Ruiz and Brian Hoover each picked up RBIs. A passed ball scored another. Third baseman Nate Coronado then knocked a 2-run double. A 3-run homerun for center fielder Gevon Jackson would put Sullivan ahead 11-0.
Cody Frank would take over the mound for starter Emil Flaquer. Flaquer tossed 2 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and nine runs, while walking six and striking out one.
The Surge would pick up a run in the third, with center fielder Shaun Cooper knocking an RBI single.
Putkonen would add to the Sullivan lead in the fourth with a 2-run homerun, his second of the season to take a 13-1 lead.
Second baseman Brandon Cooksey would knock an RBI single in the fourth. The Surge picked up another run in the fifth off a Chris Allen single to trail 13-3.
Sullivan took a 16-3 lead in the 6th inning. Coronado knocked an RBI double. Jackson added an RBI triple. A wild pitch would allow the third run of the inning.
Rich Baerga took over the mound for Frank in the sixth. Frank tossed for three complete innings, allowing nine hits and seven runs while walking two and striking out one.
The Surge added two more runs in the seventh, with right fielder Sean Washington knocking a 2- run single.
Bryan White would take over the mound in the eighth, tossing two complete innings to close the game. Baerga tossed for 1 2/3 innings, allowing no hits while striking out one. White would end the night allowing two hits and one run while walking three.
Allen picked up another RBI single in the eighth, bringing the score to 16-6 in favour of the Explorers.
Hayoto Shigeta and Bryan Hoover each picked up an RBI in the ninth, bringing their lead to 18-6.
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