Sports - June 2003

Denver snaps two-game skid with victory over Gaston Braves

By RITCHIE HALLMAN, LTN correspondent

DENVER—Denver Post 455 snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday night by beating the Gaston Braves 12-8.

Lee Woody set the tone in the first inning with a two-run homer, and Michael Rue pitched seven innings to pick up the win.

Post 455 pulled out to an early lead, scoring in each of the first three innings. David Rue drove in Josh Hamby in the first inning on a double, and Woody followed with a two run homer.

 Colby Burgin singled home David Rue in the third inning to tie the score, while Josh Belk gave Post 455 the lead later in the inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Woody.

Belk added another RBI in the fifth on a run-scoring single.

Gaston pulled within a run in the seventh. However,  Denver responded in the bottom of the inning by scoring two runs on two errors and three walks.

Post 455 added two insurance runs in the eighth, and Justin Keever pitched the final two innings to get the save.

Jay McConnell led the Braves with two home runs on the night, a two-run homer in the second inning and a solo shot in the eighth.

Joe Springs started the game for Gaston and took the loss.

Denver coach Bruce Bolick was pleased with the way his team rebounded from the previous losses.

“We got some timely hitting tonight. Michael (Rue) pitched exceptionally well and Justin (Keever) finished up well,” said Bolick.

“Overall we played a pretty good game.”

Post 455 won’t see much time off in the upcoming weeks because of make-up games due to weather cancellation. Coach Bolick hopes his team will be prepared for the rest of the schedule.

“We’ re going to get better the more we play,” said Bolick. “There are some tough teams in this league.”

Denver’s next game is tonight  at home against Monroe at 7.

Gaston 122 000 210—8 13 5

Denver 312 011 22x—12 6 5

W—M. Rue. L—Springs. HRs, Braves, McConnel (2); Denver, Woody.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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