
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 5, 1995                   TAG: 9507050081
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: FREDERICK, MD.                                  LENGTH: Medium

AVALANCHE WINS 9-8

STEVEN BERNHARDT'S two-run single in the eighth inning is the difference against the Frederick Keys.

While most of the nation celebrated July Fourth by watching a few fireworks, the Salem Avalanche was setting off some of its own.

Salem scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning, culminated by Steven Bernhardt's two-run single, to give the Avalanche a come-from-behind 9-8 victory over the Frederick Keys on Tuesday afternoon in Carolina League baseball.

Salem (10-4), which has won three of four on this trip and 13 of its past 17 overall, started the winning rally when Chris Sexton led off the inning with a walk off Frederick reliever Carlos Chavez. Vincente Garcia, who was 2-for-5 with two RBI, reached on an infield hit and Forry Wells walked to load the bases with no outs. Brian Culp then hit a fly ball off reliever Chris Lemp that Danny Clyburn dropped, allowing Sexton to score.

Keith Grunewald followed with a fly ball to right that was caught by Trovin Valdez, who threw out Garcia at home trying to score for the second out. Bernhardt then delivered a single that scored Wells and Culp.

The Keys (4-8) blew leads of 3-0, 5-3 and 8-6. Salem had managed to tie the score at 3 on a bases-loaded walk to Sexton and a two-run double by Garcia before Frederick scored two in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead.

Salem put up a run in the seventh to cut the lead to one, but Frederick countered with three in its half of the inning.

Jeff Sobkoviak (3-1) picked up the victory in relief, pitching one perfect inning. Matt Aminoff earned his 12th save. Chris Lemp (2-2) took the loss, giving up one unearned run on one hit.

Monday's game

Avalanche 8, Blue Rocks 5: In Wilmington, Del., Mike Saipe pitched eight strong innings and six Avalanche players had an RBI as Salem knocked off Wilmington.

Saipe (4-5) gave up three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out six. Jeff Sobkoviak picked up his second save. Glendon Rusch (7-6) took the loss, going four innings and giving up seven runs on 11 hits.

NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.

by CNB