ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604090020
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WOODBRIDGE
SOURCE: Staff report
The Avalanche had to work overtime and survive a few tense moments in the last half-inning Saturday night, but Salem probably did not mind, especially after a tough loss in its opener.
Nate Holdren's RBI single off Prince William reliever Jim Dixon in the top of the 13th inning brought home Pookie Jones with the winning run as Salem earned its first victory of the Carolina League season, a 4-3 triumph over the Cannons.
Jones started the Salem rally of reliever Jack Ford, reaching base on an error by Cannons shortstop Brandon Moore to lead off the 13th. Ronnie Hall then reached base on a throwing error by Dan Kopriva - one of five Prince William errors on the night - to put runners at the corners with no outs.
The Cannons (1-1) then brought in Dixon to face Holdren, who greeted him with a single to bring home Jones and send Hall to third. After Brian Culp grounded out, John Giudice walked to load the bases, but Mike Higgins grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Prince William rallied in the bottom of the 13th off Salem closer Luis Colmenares, who was the losing pitcher Friday night after giving up the winning run in the 10th inning.
Juan Thomas led off with a single, and two outs later Jason Evans was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second. Rick Carone, who doubled home the winning run off Colmenares on Friday night, worked the count to 3-2 before grounding out to end the game.
Todd Genke (1-0) got the victory for the Avalanche, going three scoreless innings with Colmenares getting his first save. Ford (0-1) took the loss for the Cannons after giving up the unearned run.
Trailing 1-0, Prince William responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 3-1 lead.
Salem cut its deficit to a run in the fourth on a Higgins sacrifice fly that scored Holdren. The Avalanche tied it in the fifth on a Jones sacrifice fly that brought in Kyle Houser, who had doubled to lead off the inning.
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB