PRINCETON — After the Bristol series, Princeton returned home to face the Greeneville Astros in a three-game series on June 29, June 30, and July 1. The Astros won the first game easily 9-3. The Rays bounced back with a 6-3 victory in the second contest. The third game of the series was completed after the press deadline.

The Rays statistics for the first eight games are very interesting. This early in the season individual and team statistics as well as league rankings can fluctuate wildly from game to game.. Thus, the following statistics should be viewed as a “snapshot in time” subject to major revisions as the season progresses.

After the first eight contests, the Rays rank last in the 10-team league in batting average (.230), runs scored, and runs batted in. Nevertheless, Princeton recorded a solid 5-3 worksheet to start the season.

Team pitching statistics reveal a completely different story. The Rays rank second in earned run average at 2.88 runs a game. This result is only a shade behind the league leader Burlington with an ERA of 2.86. Similarly, the Rays rank second in the league in number of hits allowed, third in runs permitted, and second in runs batted in allowed. Princeton ranks first in the fewest home runs allowed (one). The Princeton pitching staff has performed very well in six of the eight games.

Although Princeton’s position is in the middle of the pack in league fielding percentage, they have frequently played well defensively. Their 5-4 12-inning win over Bristol in which they turned four double plays is a case in point.



Greeneville—9, Rays—3

The Astros opened the game with a bang. They hammered four hits resulting in two runs in the first inning. Unfortunately, for the Rays this inning was not an aberration, but a harbinger of things to come. Overall, Greeneville pounded Princeton pitching for 12 hits scoring in six different innings.

Greeneville’s diminutive second baseman Jose Altune singled three times and scored three times. A key hit for the winners occurred in the fifth inning when Ryan Humphrey tripled scoring two runs. An error at the end of the play added a third score in the inning for the Astros.

During most of the young season, Princeton’s infield had played very well defensively. This game was a different story. They committed four errors that led to three unearned runs by Greeneville.

The Rays scored their three runs on seven hits. In the first inning, Brian Bryles singled and ultimately scored on Seth Henry’s sacrifice fly to center field.

Cody Rogers smashed a solo home run over the right field fence in the fifth inning to score the Rays’ second run. This round-tripper was Princeton’s second of the season.

In the eighth inning, Rogers scored again. He walked, stole second base, advanced to third base on an error, and scored on a wild pitch.

Rogers’ home run blast was Princeton’s only extra-base hit. Bryles and Julio Cedeno each collected two hits while Ramon Novas and Seth Henry added singles.

One bright spot for the Rays’ pitching staff was the performance of reliever Matt Stablefeld. He held the Astros hitless and scoreless for the final two innings. For the season, Stablefeld has appeared in three games, pitched four and a third innings, and has not surrendered a run.



Rays—6, Greeneville—3

After their poor performance the previous evening, the resilient Rays wasted no time in establishing their dominance in this game. They scored all of their runs in the first two innings.

In the bottom of the opening frame, the Astro’s pitcher hit both Brian Bryles and Kyle Spraker. Ryan Wiegand doubled down the left field line scoring his two teammates. Wiegand later scored on a wild pitch.

In the second inning, Tomas Francisco and Bryles walked. Ty Morrison sent a fastball flying over the fence for a three-run homer. Morrison’s smash was the Rays’ third round tripper of the season. Later in the inning, Wiegand doubled down the right field line, but was stranded on base.

During the last six innings, Princeton could muster only one hit-a double by Ramon Novas in the eighth inning.

This game had several unusual qualities.

• Princeton was outhit seven to four, but won the game convincingly.

• All of Princeton’s hits were for extra bases-three doubles and a home run.

• The two teams combined for five wild pitches and three hit batters.

• There were a total of 27 strikeouts during the game (14 by Princeton, 13 by Greeneville).

Princeton hurlers Omar Bencomo, Tyler Oakes, and Alex Koronis all had excellent performances on the mound. Bencomo picked up the win, Oakes held the opposition in check, and Koronis recorded a save. This appearance was Koronis’ professional baseball debut and it was sensational. He induced a ground ball for the final out in the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, Koronis faced three batters and retired them all on swinging strikeouts. He simply overpowered the opposition with his blazing fastball.

Brian Bryles made the defensive play of the game. In the third inning, Astro outfielder Nathan Metroka smashed a long fly ball close to the fence in center field. The swift Bryles made a beautiful running grab of the ball with his back to home plate.