Princeton Rays take game one of doubleheader against Pulaski

The Game: The Princeton Rays took game one of the double header against the Pulaski Mariners by winning 5-3 at Calfee Park. The Rays took an early lead by scoring twice in the first inning. Brian Byrles led off the inning with a walk. Kyle Spraker followed with a double to center to score Byrles and Spraker advanced to third on an error. Cody Rogers drove home Spraker with a ground to second to give Princeton a 2-0 lead.

Pulaski came back to tie the game by putting a run on the board in the second and third innings by the way of the long ball. Mark McGonigle went deep to left in the second. Then it was Cesar Fuentes solo shot in the third to tie the game at two runs a piece.

Princeton wasted no time in breaking the tie in the fourth inning. Ryan Wiegand double to get things going for the Rays. Wiegand advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Geno Glynn to give Princeton a one run lead.

The Rays added some insurance by posting two additional runs in the fifth inning with a little assistance by the way of errors and wild pitching from Pulaski. Daniel Rhault drove home the first run of the inning with a sacrifice bunt to score Ramon Novas. Then it was Alejandro Torres scoring on a wild pitch to put the Rays ahead 5-2.

The Mariners put another run on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. The inning started with back to back walks to Tommy Johnson and Jharmidy De Jesus. Then Mark McGonigle drove home a run with a ground ball to short to score Johnson. The Mariners could not push across another run and Princeton held on the win 5-3.

Julius Dettrich earned the win by pitching 5 innings and allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and striking out 4 while walking 1. Scott Shuman recorded the save by allowing 1 run on 1 hits while striking out 3 and walking 2 in 2 innings on the mound. Brandon Maurer was the losing pitcher for Pulaski.

What Went Right: Ryan Wiegand; 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and a run scored.

What Went Wrong: Kyle Spraker; committed his team leading 13th error.

A Look Ahead: The Rays and Mariners will play game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at Calfee Park. Deivis Mavares (1-0) will be on the mound for Princeton against Yao Wen Chang (0-3) for Pulaski.