Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 9, 1994 TAG: 9404090099
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Salem Buccaneers, a bust on opening night, were booming Friday night with an 8-5 Carolina League victory over the Frederick Keys.
The Bucs were the beneficiaries of terrific starting pitching, splendid defense, muscular bats, and some pleasant weather as they gave 1,273 Municipal Field customers amnesia with respect to Thursday's 11-8 freeze-fest of a loss.
"We did everything pretty good tonight," Bucs manager Trent Jewett said.
It all began with the starter, Gary Wilson, who worked seven shutout innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. Wilson, a right-handed Californian, started here last year but was demoted after going 5-5 with a 5.75 earned run average.
"I'm not sure there are any tricks to pitching here other than keeping the ball down and not walking anybody," he said. "If you walk a guy in this park, you're one pitch away from trouble."
Wilson warded off peril with no walks. He retired the first 10 batters he faced and prospered further as the Bucs turned three double plays, one started by a great running catch by Jeff Conger in center.
Conger, the No. 7 hitter, was part of a lethal lower end of the batting order, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored (giving him six in two nights) and a moon-shot home run over the right field fence, his second of the season.
Jay Cranford, Conger, Raul Paez and Juan Segura were a composite 9-for-13. Segura, in the nine hole, went 3-for-4 with five RBI - giving him eight in two outings.
Segura singled, doubled and tripled.
The Keys erupted against reliever Rick Townsend for five runs in the eighth before Sean Evans restored order and Marc Pisciotta came on in the ninth for the save.
by CNB