Interview with Chris Padilla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaYiBFQGVoI
Interview with Coach Tharp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAnjzSbcltM
It took the Piedmont Pride an extra inning, but the Red and Blue extended their win streak to nine and defeated the Charlotte Prospects, 13-7. The offense combined for 15 hits, seven of them extra baggers.
The Pride trailed, 7-6 heading into the top of the 9th. Head Skipper Joe Hudak had been ejected from the game in the bottom of the 8th after a call from the home plate umpire was overturned. Assistant Coach, Dalton Tharp had to step into the spotlight and will his team to a victory.
Mark Engel lead off the top of the 9th for the pride and singled up the middle. A sacrifice bunt from Chris Padilla moved Engel over to second and the next batter, Josh Baker moved Engel over to third with a ground out. With Engel on third, the Prospects pitcher threw one to the back stop and the tying run sprinted across home plate.
Joey DelGatto came in to pitch for The Pride in the bottom of the ninth and got into a little bit of a jam. With two outs, and the bases loaded, DelGatto threw a nasty 3-2 count curveball and got the Prospects batter looking.
The Pride came out with vengeance in the top of the 10th inning, striking for six runs on three hits, and four walks. DelGatto would come back in for the bottom of the extra frame, and send the Prospects packing 1-2-3.
Chris Padilla went two for three at the plate with two doubles and four RBI’s. Padilla is batting .435 on the season with nine RBI’s. Luke Stageberg, who joined The Pride on Thursday went three for four with 3 RBI’s, a homerun, and a double.
The Pride can extend their win streak tomorrow night June, 16th when they take on the Mooresville Spinners.
