Rebels overcome errors in win over Senators

By Dennis Atwood - sports@nvdaily.com

NEW MARKET -- New Market overcame six errors and came back from an early deficit to beat Haymarket, 5-4, in Valley League action on Tuesday night

The Rebels trailed 4-1 after four innings, but picked up two in the fifth and two more in the seventh.

In the seventh inning New Market shortstop Richard Gonzalez led off with a single to center and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Center fielder Kenny Mickens (3-for-5, triple, double, 3 runs, RBI) then drove a triple to the wall in straight-away center field to plate Gonzalez with the tying run.

"I wasn't sure where it landed, I was just running," Mickens said. "Coach said, 'first strike you see, swing on it' and I did."

Designated hitter McKinnon Langston then faced new pitcher Dallas Nunes, and hit his first pitch for a single to right, scoring Mickens with the winning run.

"Usually, when a guy comes out of the pen, he tries to get ahead with a fastball," Langston said. "I figured he'd gear it in, and he left it out over the plate, and I hit the first pitch."

Although he worked only one inning, Steve Owens picked up the win.

"I had a poor start in Harrisonburg and it feels good to get the 'W'," Owens said. "It feels good to have relievers behind you like James [Weiner] and Brian Burgess to be lights out and secure the win."

The Rebels fell behind early, as starter Garrett Baker used 36 pitches in the first inning, giving up three runs on four hits, a walk and an error. Andrew Lawrence reached on an error, then designated hitter Greg Hopkins knocked a double to left, moving Lawrence to third. Left fielder Peter Onorato then hit a single to center, driving in Hopkins and Lawrence.

After third baseman Scott Van Dusseldorp singled, catcher Evan Noell drove in Onorato with the third run. Collin Flagherty drew a walk to load the bases and they stayed full as Sam Greenbreg hit into a fielders choice to retire the side.

After a 1-5 start, the Rebels (6-7) have turned their season in a positive direction, winning four of the last six games, starting with a 7-2 win over Woodstock on June 15, and including a 10-3 win over Staunton Sunday night in the first of a four-game homestand.

The Senators (6-5) had gone 6-1 in their last seven games, the only loss being to New Market, 3-2, on June 19.