The Sussex County Miners saw their post-season hopes fade just a bit more after a heart-breaking loss to the Empire State Greys Aug. 13.
The Miners start a six-game road trip this week five games out from a playoff spot after having led the Easter Division of the Frontier League for more of the first half of the season.
In this past Sunday’s game, the Miners led the Greys through the fifth inning when they gave up three runs to the Greys who tied the game at four runs.
The Miners inched back with run in the bottom of the eighth to lead 5-4. But in the top of the ninth the Miners defense imploded with relief pitcher Robbie Hitt giving up back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases.
Hit came back to strike out two, the on the next batter was one strike away from winning when the Greys Luis Atiles slammed a bases-clearing double, giving the team a 7-5 lead over the Miners.
Designated hitter Oraj Anu gave the Miners a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the ninth with his 17th home run, a solo shot, but it wasn’t enough with Sussex County losing 7-6.
Oraj had three RBIs on the day with Edwin Mateo, Willie Escala and Gavin Stupienski each bringing home a run.
The Miners had a similar heartbreak at the beginning of the homestand Aug. 3 against the New Jersey Jackals, when they lost 5-3 in 10 innings. Both teams had three runs by the fifth inning after Will Zimmerman tied it for the Miners with a home run, at tie they carried into the 10th.
In the top of the 10th, the Jackals’ Josh Rehwaldt hits a two-run homer, which the Miners failed to answer in the bottom half of the inning.
The Miners then took one of three each from the Quebec Capitales and the Ottawa Titans before beginning their series with the Greys in which they split four games.
Heading for Canada Aug. 15 they play a trio of games against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles then three against the Tri-City Valleycats of the New York state capital region.
The Miners return home Aug. 22 for three more against the Aigles.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
