Link Report for Mon. 9/10 -- Three Must-Have Games, Plus Power Opens Up

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.dailymail.com/story/Sports/+/2007091123/Rollins+gives+Catfish+upper+hand+against+Power/

 

Rollins gives Catfish upper hand against Power

Christopher Wade

For the Charleston Daily Mail

 

Tonight's Game 2 of the South Atlantic League Championship series at Appalachian Power Park might not be a must win for the Power, but it might be pretty close.

 

The Power dropped a 5-2 decision to the Columbus Catfish on a rainy Monday night in Game 1 of the best-of-five series, and if they don't pull out a victory tonight, will be forced to win three games on the road in Columbus starting Thursday.

"We've just got to show up, stay relaxed, and show this team (Columbus) what we are all about," said Power second basemen Kenny Holmberg.

Columbus starting pitcher Heath Rollins, who pitched a masterful game against the high-powered Power offense Monday, realizes the significance of a possible Game 2 victory by Columbus.

"Game 2 is a really big game and would give us a lot of momentum going back home if we can get a win," Rollins said. "If we can go back home 2-0, it would be huge, and we would be tough to beat."

In tonight's 7:05 start (6:05 Central), West Virginia will send right-hander Shawn Ferguson (5-1) to the mound against Catfish right-hander Will Kline (0-4). Wednesday is scheduled as a travel day before the series concludes in the Georgia city.

Rollins pitched six strong innings against the Power, who led the SAL in hitting with a team batting average of .281. He scattered six hits and allowed just one earned run. Meanwhile, Brian Baker and Neal Frontz came out of the Columbus bullpen to throw three shutout innings of relief and only allow one hit.

Earlier in the season, Rollins pitched seven shutout innings against the Power. The former Winthrop University right-hander was tied for the most wins in minor league baseball with a 17-4 record and solid earned run average of 2.54. Rollins also was second in the SAL in strikeouts with 149 in 159 1/3 innings.

"We are very fortunate anytime Heath is on the mound," Columbus Manager Jim Morrison said. "He's a tremendous pitcher and has four solid pitches he can throw. That makes it tough on hitters, especially against a great hitting club like the Power has."

Rollins was solid as usual for the Catfish and in the few times he seemed to be in trouble, his defense stepped up and turned away the Power seemingly every time it had an opportunity.

In the first inning, the first two Power batters reached and Rollins was faced with runners on second and third with nobody out. Designated hitter Matt LaPorta grounded to third to drive in Chuckie Caufield and Kenny Holmberg smartly raced to third base on the throw.

However, Rollins got Power third baseman Taylor Green and first basemen John Alonso to ground out to end the threat. Rollins cruised along the next three innings but ran into serious trouble again in the fifth inning.

With Columbus leading 4-1, the Power loaded the bases with nobody out and had the top of the lineup next. Rollins once again wriggled out of damage, only allowing one run, after Caufield grounded into a double play and Holmberg grounded to third.

"My defense turned some big double plays for me tonight," Rollins said. "(The Power) is a really, really good hitting team and is a tough lineup. There are no weak spots throughout it but the double play was really big."

While Holmberg agreed the double play in the fifth was the critical moment of the game, he still has a lot of confidence in his team's offense and hopes to get another chance at Rollins.

"They played a heck of a game but we hit the ball hard," Holmberg said. "If we can get to a Game 5 against him, I don't think he would feel as comfortable."

"The double play was huge. Anytime you can get a double play, it's important because you get two outs on one play. It was a rally killer."

Holmberg was the only West Virginia player to have multiple hits with his 2-for-4 performance. The Power will need its offense to re-emerge quickly against the Columbus' second best pitching staff in the SAL with its team ERA of 3.61.

In the four regular season games, the Catfish went 3-1 against the Power. limiting the offense to a .168 batting average.

[Mass Haas]

Here's some video highlights (lowlights) from Monday's West Virginia loss:

 

http://www.wrbl.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WRBL%2FMGArticle%2FRBL_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352705962&path=%21sports