Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short at ETSU - UNC Asheville Bulldogs Official Athletics Site

April 11, 2006

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Johnny Martinez homered and drove in five runs but UNC Asheville's ninth inning rally fell short in an 8-6 loss to East Tennessee State at Cardinal Park on Tuesday.

Trailing 8-4 in the ninth, Rob Vernon led off with a single. Kevin Mattison followed with a ground rule double down the right field line. One out later, Martinez hit his second double of the game down the left field line to score Vernon and Mattison. The Bulldogs would load the bases with one out but John Watlington's attempt to tie the game was robbed by ETSU first baseman Blake Church to end the game.

Martinez put Asheville (14-19) up 2-0 in the top of the first inning. After a two out walk to Elliott Arrington, Martinez hit his first home run of the season to right center field.

ETSU (21-14) tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Aughey singled home Church and Michael Courtney singled home Aughey to tie the game.

The Bulldogs responded in the fifth. Vernon struck out but reached first base on a wild pitch. After Vernon stole second, Arrington single him home and then scored on Martinez's first double of the game.

East Tennessee State took its first lead of the game in the sixth inning. C.J. Lee tied the game with a two-run home run on left field. The next batter, Aughey followed with a solo home run to center to put the Bucs up 5-4. Chuck Hargis doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch. He would score on a sacrifice fly to give ETSU a two-run lead.

The Bucs added two more in the eighth. A throwing error put runners a first and third with one out. A wild pitch scored Hargis and Anthony Russell singled home Courtney with the eighth ESTU run.

Tony Lombardi picked up the win in relief to move to 1-6 on the year. Tim Johnson took the loss for Asheville to fall to 1-6.

Asheville will be back in action on Wednesday as it travels to Tennessee for a 7 p.m. game.