Tourists Win Sally League Finale, 4-1
The Tourists scored in the 1st, built a 4-0 lead after four innings, and cruised to a 4-1 win to take the 2014 South Atlantic League Championship, three games to two. It was the second title in three years for Asheville, and back-to-back Finals losses for Hagerstown.
Nick Pivetta was more effective than he was in Game One, making it through five frames, but allowed all four Tourist runs (three earned, though the error was his) on six hits and two walks while striking out five. His counterpart, Konner Wade, was just as brilliant as before — tossing seven scoreless innings to run his total to 12 for the series.
The Suns were limited to six hits — all singles — and one walk. The lone, unearned run came in the bottom of the 8th as Rafael Bautista reached on an error, took third on a Wilmer Difo safety, and scored on a groundout by Narciso Mesa. Drew Ward was the sole Hagerstown batter to reach base twice, singling in the 7th and drawing a leadoff walk in the 9th.
Hagerstown finished the 2014 season with 87 wins in the regular season and 91 wins overall, both the most since the Suns joined the South Atlantic League in 1993. They’ll start the 2015 campaign on the road in Hickory, NC on April 9th and open at home against Lakewood on April 16th.
Oh well, congrats to the Suns on their outstanding season. Hope to see a lot of these guys down in Potomac next year as the P-Nats try to defend their title. 🙂
My first and perhaps not last post. I usually inhabit Todd Boss’ spot and haven’t the time for more but these points are best reserved for here…
As the season ends on a bittersweet note, it’s best to weigh in now.
I have so appreciated this site for a few years and wanted to thank Luke for the service he provides to an international fan base (I am a remnant from the torment of thirty years of rooting for the Expos). The information on this site is as high quality as one finds, and I have looked forward to “Sue” and then “Luke” for the regularly scheduled features and the mornings in which I mix in “Last Night in ….” with my professional correspondence and other business obligations. Such a treat to feel like one is *there*. And I have come to appreciate minor league baseball like never before, now that I am a father and even though I have always lived in major league cities.
Thank you, Luke, for so much. Your posts on GBI are always welcome, your blurbs on the promoted always anticipated (you slipped on that a bit this year), the nature of your humor is so perfect for this forum, your watch lists
feed the fire, as do your other blurbs on the instructional leagues, etc. Your insights are so welcome, and with that, a bit of a request — can you do a “Last Look” at the teams you saw? We’d also welcome posts from other who watched a lot of the minor teams play in person.
I am a big fan of Geoff Morrow’s and Jeremy Houghtaling’s coverage. There is a certain essence that helps one go beyond brute numbers in their coverage. You impart that as well. So I wish you a great off season and continued inspiration.
Also, thanks to Souldrummer for the many hours of initiative you had to take. Thanks to the AFL “correspondent.” We hope to see you again.
And finally, since it isn’t said, thanks to Jeff. I love your writing, I get your musical references, I work to Pat Metheny, I survived the Expos (barely) and want Jeffrey Loria and his midget boy dave to be led away in handcuffs, and I actually look forward to every one of your posts, and usually understand them. We should get more detailed breakdowns from you, for those of us who appreciate the “eye test.” I still chuckle when I think about how you used to reference ian Dickson, knowing how he has blossomed as he has. But to appreciate that, one has to have seen what you saw in person. And stuff like that. Happy days in Nats Town.
Soul drummer. Last train home. James
. Are you going with me…yes ex- po fans are unique
Plus they appreciate the great job Luke has done on this
Cyber town square soapbox.
Very poetic that nats take care of braves
20 years after expos were blocked from WS
By Selig and co.
My biggest eye brow raiser in late season was
Brian Rauh- not Pedro E- penciled into Mills Cup chase
Rotation.
Time will tell if Soilis, Schwartz, Lee, Pedro
E rebound beyond 3-4 IP guys.
How many fans were happy to see SS
Frustrate Freeman and Fredie Gonzo
Last night
I was listening to game on sxm with a braves feed
Who have former brewers radio color guy-
Jim ???? Doing radio . He sounds a tad like
Uke.
Clinch tonight
Great work , Luke! You deserve a cold Danish
Faxe beer where the Viking head looks like
Werth!! No lie
Soul drummer. One of my fav concerts
Was pat methany beat 90 tour. Cal
Berkeley Hearst auditorium where the fog layer
Came in like a great SS change up !