Shorebirds end first half with 3-2 win over Suns SALISBURY, MD (wesm) - The Delmarva Shorebirds capped off the first half of the season with an exciting 3-2 win over division rival Hagerstown. The Shorebirds have three days off before heading to Lakewood, New Jersey for a five-game series starting on Thursday, June 25th.

The Hagerstown Suns powered their way onto the board in the top of the first. After Oliver Drake retired the first two batters, Derek Norris belted his league leading 14th home run of the season over the left-center field wall.

The Shorebirds quickly responded in the bottom of the first. Xavier Avery hit a one out single to get the Shorebirds going. He then swiped his team best 20th base of the season. The next batter, Elvin Polanco, blistered a line drive single into center field to score Avery.

After three scoreless innings, the Suns took the lead in the fifth. Robby Jacobsen led off with a double to left. Arata then placed a bunt single in between Oliver Drake and Tyler Kolodny to advance Jacobsen to third. With Steve Lombardozzi at the plate, Drake issued a wild pitch that allowed Jacobsen to score.

The back and forth affair continued as the Shorebirds took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth. The Shorebirds plated two runs against the 10th overall pick in the 2009 First Year Player Draft Drew Storen. Brian Conley hit a two out double off the wall in right field. Brendan Monaghan connected on a soft flare to center that scored Conley, which tied the game at 2-2. Then, Kyle Hudson delivered a gapper to right-center field to plate Monaghan and give the 'Birds a 3-2 edge.

In the ninth, Steven Souza reached on a dropped pop out in the infield by Tyler Kolodny. Charlie Fermaint then hit a liner towards right-center field. Xavier Avery picked it up and fired to cut off man Rodolfo Cardona, who fired home to Monaghan to nail pinch runner Chris Curran at the plate. With one out and Fermaint at thrid, Brandon Cooney struck out Robby Jacobsen and induced a fly out off the bat of Nick Arata to end the game. Cooney earned his 11th save of the season.

Shorebirds starter Oliver Drake went through the seventh inning. He scattered five hits and just two runs to earn his third win of the season.

Ron Welty and Rick Zagone will represent the Shorebirds in the 2009 South Atlantic League All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 23rd. Zagone will start the game for the Northern division team.

The Shorebirds are back in action on Thursday, June 25th against the Northern division first half champions Lakewood. © Copyright 2009, wesm