GREENSBORO, NC – The Frederick Keys took down the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates) in game one of the South Atlantic League North Division Championship series Tuesday night, winning by a score of 13-1 from First National Bank Field.
The Keys scored nine runs during the top of the eighth inning to pull away from the Grasshoppers on the road, as they won their first playoff game in nine years with the victory Tuesday night.
Frederick struck first with two runs in the top of the opening inning on RBI bunts from Yasmil Bucce and Randal Diaz, and despite Greensboro getting one back in the bottom frame, the Keys took a 2-1 lead through the opening inning Tuesday night.
Following a scoreless second inning on both sides, Boston Bateman struck out the side for the second straight frame in the bottom of the third, keeping it a 2-1 game approaching the fourth from Greensboro.
Ty Head added to the Keys lead in the top of the fourth with a two-out solo homer to right field, making it a 3-1 lead for Frederick heading into the fifth from First National Bank Field.
An RBI single from Jaiden Lo Re in the top of the fifth pushed the Frederick lead up to three at 4-1, as Bateman struck out the side and recorded his career-high 10th punchout of the night to keep Frederick ahead by three going into the sixth in game one.
After the Keys and Grasshoppers traded zeros in the sixth, Teddy Sharky tossed a scoreless bottom of the seventh, taking the ballgame to the eighth with the Keys up by three on the road.
Frederick plated home nine runs in the top of the eighth inning with the scoring starting on a sac bunt from Jaiden Lo Re that sent in two runs on a throwing error.
From there, a two-RBI single from Head and an RBI base knock from Braylin Tavera pushed the lead up to eight, with Ryan Stafford getting an RBI fielders choice to make it a 10-1 game.
The frame was capped off by a three-run home run from Enddy Azocar, handing the visiting Keys a 13-1 lead approaching the ninth, with the nine-run frame tying the most amount of runs scored in an inning tying the most amount they have scored in a single frame this season.
From there, Brendan Parks and Zac Lampton closed things out in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings, handing Frederick the game one victory by a score of 13-1 against the Grasshoppers from First National Bank Field.
Following an off-day on Wednesday, the Keys and Grasshoppers meet for game two of the best of three series Thursday night, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. from Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
As part of game two of the series, the first 2,000 fans will receive a rally towel courtesy of IBEW Local 24 and Rowan Digital Infrastructure. There will also be postgame fireworks presented by Rowan Digital Infrastructure and Mr. Pyro.