Orleans Firebirds

Firebirds Score Six Unanswered in Comeback Win

July 25, 2009

By Tyler Maland

Hyannis , Mass. -The Orleans Firebirds certainly chose a good time to snap out oftheir offensive drought. They scored six runs in the seventh inning Saturday night, and came back from a 6-2 deficit to defeat the Hyannis Mets 8-6. Alex Hassan (Duke) provided three RBI, an emotional spark, and a desperately needed save to help Orleans avoid a fifth straight loss.

After the first Orleans batter in the top of the seventh struck out, the next five reached base, two because they were hit by a pitch. When Hassan came up with the bases loaded and the score 6-3, he apparently reacted to some unfriendly words by Mets relief pitcher Kevin Moran (Boston College) by taking a few steps toward the mound. Players became riled up, both benches were warned, and both managers emerged from their dugouts to argue.

When play resumed, Hassan got the best of the steaming Moran with an RBI single to right field that scored two after a throwing error by the right fielder. Words were exchanged and play paused again, but the damage had been done at the plate.

Two batters later, Kevin Muno (San Diego) came up with two men on and put the Firebirds ahead for good. The right-handed hitting Muno showed bunt early in the count, but thought better of it a few pitches later and smacked a two-run double over the left fielder’s head to give his team a 7-6 lead. He then stole third base, prompting a throwing error by the Hyannis catcher that allowed him to score easily.

Hyannis had its own five-run sixth inning, and held a seemingly comfortable four-run lead heading into the seventh. Orleans, after all, would need four runs to come back, and had scored just four in its last 32 innings of play.

But the Firebirds bats – whether spurred by Hassan’s refusal to back down, or the noise of their fans, or simply the knowledge that one run per game wouldn’t do the job in the upcoming playoffs – came alive in a big way.

Hassan went 2-for-5 with three RBI, two of which came on a two-run triple in the sixth inning that gave Orleans its first two runs. Jarren Matthews (Rutgers) started that inning with a double of his own.

Riccio Torrez (Arizona St.) was 2-for-4 with an RBI hit-by-pitch in the seventh, and scored two runs. Kevin Muno was 1-for-4 with the big two-run double, and his younger brother Danny Muno (Fresno St.) was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored.

Jimmy Reyes (Elon) made the start for Orleans, and gave up six runs, four earned, in 5.1 innings. Daniel Ottone (Western Carolina) finished the sixth inning for Orleans, and three more pitchers came out of the bullpen for an inning of scoreless relief: Brock Stassi (Nevada) in the seventh, Tommy Kahnle (Lynn) the eighth, and Hassan moved from right field to the mound to pitch a perfect ninth. Stassi picked up the win in his first decision of the year.

Dustin Harrington (East Carolina) led Hyannis with two doubles and one RBI, and Dan Burkhart (Ohio St.) was 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Orleans is now 18-15-1, good for second place in the Eastern Division. The Firebirds will host Harwich Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. Hyannis moves to 12-20-1 and will play a double-header Sunday at Brewster with the first game starting at 2:30 p.m.

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Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Firebirds Score Six Unanswered in Comeback Win July 25, 2009 By Tyler Maland Hyannis , Mass. -The Orleans Firebirds certainly chose a good time to snap out oftheir offensive drought. They scored six runs in the seventh inning Saturday night, and came back from a 6-2 deficit to defeat the Hyannis Mets 8-6. Alex Hassan (Duke) provided three RBI, an emotional spark, and a desperately needed save to help Orleans avoid a fifth straight loss. After the first Orleans batter in the top of the seventh struck out, the next five reached base, two because they were hit by a pitch. When Hassan came up with the bases loaded and the score 6-3, he apparently reacted to some unfriendly words by Mets relief pitcher Kevin Moran (Boston College) by taking a few steps toward the mound. Players became riled up, both benches were warned, and both managers emerged from their dugouts to argue. When play resumed, Hassan got the best of the steaming Moran with an RBI single to right field that scored two after a throwing error by the right fielder. Words were exchanged and play paused again, but the damage had been done at the plate. Two batters later, Kevin Muno (San Diego) came up with two men on and put the Firebirds ahead for good. The right-handed hitting Muno showed bunt early in the count, but thought better of it a few pitches later and smacked a two-run double over the left fielder’s head to give his team a 7-6 lead. He then stole third base, prompting a throwing error by the Hyannis catcher that allowed him to score easily. Hyannis had its own five-run sixth inning, and held a seemingly comfortable four-run lead heading into the seventh. Orleans, after all, would need four runs to come back, and had scored just four in its last 32 innings of play. But the Firebirds bats – whether spurred by Hassan’s refusal to back down, or the noise of their fans, or simply the knowledge that one run per game wouldn’t do the job in the upcoming playoffs – came alive in a big way. Hassan went 2-for-5 with three RBI, two of which came on a two-run triple in the sixth inning that gave Orleans its first two runs. Jarren Matthews (Rutgers) started that inning with a double of his own. Riccio Torrez (Arizona St.) was 2-for-4 with an RBI hit-by-pitch in the seventh, and scored two runs. Kevin Muno was 1-for-4 with the big two-run double, and his younger brother Danny Muno (Fresno St.) was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored. Jimmy Reyes (Elon) made the start for Orleans, and gave up six runs, four earned, in 5.1 innings. Daniel Ottone (Western Carolina) finished the sixth inning for Orleans, and three more pitchers came out of the bullpen for an inning of scoreless relief: Brock Stassi (Nevada) in the seventh, Tommy Kahnle (Lynn) the eighth, and Hassan moved from right field to the mound to pitch a perfect ninth. Stassi picked up the win in his first decision of the year. Dustin Harrington (East Carolina) led Hyannis with two doubles and one RBI, and Dan Burkhart (Ohio St.) was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Orleans is now 18-15-1, good for second place in the Eastern Division. The Firebirds will host Harwich Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. Hyannis moves to 12-20-1 and will play a double-header Sunday at Brewster with the first game starting at 2:30 p.m. (Box Score)