Graeter Late Than Never: Tourists Walk-Off on RiverDogs

July 29, 2014 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release

Asheville, NC--Ashley Graeter capped off an amazing series with the pinnacle of achievements on Tuesday night. The Asheville Tourists catcher clubbed a two-out, walk-off, three-run homer to right-centerfield in the bottom of the ninth inning; sending the home team to a 10-8 victory over the Charleston RiverDogs. Graeter finished the series with 11 hits in 13 at-bats, including the final blow in Asheville's remarkable win.

The bottom of the ninth began with the Tourists facing an 8-6 deficit. Raimel Tapia connected with his third hit of the game; a lead-off Home Run down the right field line. After the next two Tourists hitters struck out, Correlle Prime, who was down to his final strike, sprayed a single into right field to extend the game. Jordan Patterson then walked and both runners advanced a base on a prompt wild pitch to Graeter. The Tourists backstop worked a full count before connecting with the game winner.

Charleston had led the entire way. The RiverDogs plated four runs in the top of the first, all unearned. Michael O'Neill looped a two-run single into right and Reymond Nunez hit a towering two-run homer to left.

Asheville responded with two in the third. Ryan McMahon plated a run with a sacrifice fly that was also ruled an infield fly. An argument ensued with Fred Ocasio following the infield fly ruling and Asheville's manager was ejected from the game.

The visitors received an RBI single from Mark Payton in the fourth and added two more in the fifth to take their largest lead at 7-2. Wilfredo Rodriguez cut into the lead with an RBI single in the sixth and Alec Mehrten followed with a two-run double.

Both teams traded runs in the eighth. Brandon Thomas doubled off the left field wall for Charleston while Graeter led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo Home Run to center.

The walk-off win was Asheville's seventh of the season and for Ocasio, it was win number 399 in his managerial career--despite the fact he was not allowed to witness the late theatrics.

Asheville now heads to Greensboro to open a four-game series. Wednesday night's game begins at 7:00pm.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 29, 2014

• Graeter Late Than Never: Tourists Walk-Off on RiverDogs - Asheville Tourists
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