South Jersey Baseball:
Sardinha's Homer Gives Thunder "11th Inning Reprieve"

Saturday, May 20, 2006

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Public Relations

(Bowie, MD)- Bronson Sardinha's solo homer broke a scoreless tie in the 11th Inning to give Trenton a 1-0 win over Bowie on Saturday night. The win was the first "one-run" win on the road for the Thunder this season (1-6).

Both starting pitchers, Matt Bruback of Bowie and Jeff Karstens for the Thunder, kept the hitters at bay through the early innings. Trenton (18-22) came close to scoring in the 5th Inning as Justin Christian reached 3rd Base. Omir Santos struck out, but on a third strike wild pitch Bowie C Ryan Hubele threw out Santos at first to prevent Christian from scoring the go-ahead run. Christian was the only Trenton player to reach 2nd Base in the first 10 innings.

Bowie (22-19) managed doubles by 2B Pete Shier and DH Cory Keylor in the 3rd and 4th Innings, but couldn't score. Kastens tossed 6 2/3 innings shutout, allowing just two hits. He walked one and struck out six. Bowie RF Tony Alvarez came close to a game-winner in the 9th Inning off T.J. Beam. His flyball to left was caught by Vince Faison against the fence.

Sardinha then ruined the night for the 12,191 Baysox fans with a one-out solo homer off reliever Calvin Maduro (1-3). Beam (3-0) worked 3 1/3 shutout innings for the win. Justin Pope tossed a scoreless 11th Inning for his 3rd save.

The series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM. Steven White (2-1, 2.28) starts for the Thunder against Bowie's Brian Finch (2-3, 2.56).

Thunder Notes

- The last time that Trenton won a "1-0" game was the final regular season game of last year (9/3/05) at home versus Harrisburg. The winning pitcher in that game for Trenton was current Bowie pitcher Calvin Maduro.

- Trenton pitchers recorded 12 strikeouts on the night... a season-high.

- With the 11 shutout innings tonight, Trenton has a 2.97 ERA for the season.