Princeton Rays sweep doubleheader with 14-2 win in game two

The Game: The Princeton Rays picked up a sweep of Thursday’s doubleheader by winning game two against the Johnson City Cardinals by the score of 14-2 at Howard Johnson Stadium. The Cardinals took the early lead by scoring two runs in the first inning. Luis Mateo led off the inning with a double to right field. Robert Stock followed with an RBI single to score Mateo, Stock then advanced to second on the throw. Stock later scored on an RBI single by Jonathan Rodriguez and the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead.

Princeton hit the scoreboard in grand style in the third inning. Alejandro Torres reached on a strike three wild pitch to lead off the inning. Ty Morrison then reached base with on a bunt. Kyle Spraker followed with an RBI single to score Torres and move Morrison to third. Then Ryan Wiegand drew a walk to load the bases. But they wouldn’t stay loaded long as Julio Cedeno cleared them with a grand slam to give the Rays a 5-2 lead.

Princeton struck again with another five run inning in the sixth inning, the Rays were a home run shy of a team cycle in the inning as they combined for one single, three double and a triple in the inning. Ty Morrison singled to get things started, followed by a walk to Kyle Spraker. Cody Roger drove home the first run with a double to left, scoring Morrison and moving Spraker to third. Then Ryan Wiegand drove home two more with a double that scored Spraker and Rogers. Julio Cedeno followed with an RBI double to score Wiegand. Ramon Novas drove home the fifth run of the inning with a triple to center that increased the Princeton lead to 10-2.

But the Princeton offense was not quite finished, posting four more runs in the seventh inning. Daniel Rhault and Alejandro Torres led off the inning with back to back singles. Kyle Spraker then drew a walk to load the bases. Cody Rogers reached base and Rhault scored on an error. Ryan Wiegand followed with a bases loaded walk to plate Torres for the second run. Julio Cedeno then drove home Spraker with an RBI single to left. The final run of the inning came on a ground ball by Thomas Francisco that scored Rogers and gave the Rays the 14-2 victory.

Trevor Shull got the start and pitched a 4 inning no decision, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 4 and walking 2. Jairo De La Rosa earned the win, pitching the final 3 innings and allowed no runs on 1 hit with 4 strikeouts and a walk. Randy Santos suffered the loss for Johnson City.

What Went Right: The Offense; scored 14 runs on 13 hits which consisted of 7 extra base hits (5 doubles, 1 triple and 1 home run). Julio Cedeno; highlighted the offense by going 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a home run, 6 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.

What Went Wrong: Tomas Francisco; only Ray not to record a hit.

A Look Ahead: The Rays and Cardinals will play another doubleheader on Friday night at Howard Johnson Field.