HOME RUNS POWER GRASSHOPPERS TO WIN, 8-4

Kieron Pope Connects on First Homer of Season

Greensboro, N.C. – Justin Bass and Crad Cregar each delivered two home runs to lift the Grasshoppers to an 8-4 series opening win over the Shorebirds at NewBridge Bank Park Tuesday.

The Grasshoppers powered their way on the board in the first inning. After Bobby Bundy retired the first two batters, Justin Bass hit his 10th homer of the season over the left field wall.

In the third inning, Delmarva grabbed the lead. Ty Kelly reached on a one out walk. Then, Kieron Pope belted his first home run of the season off the yellow strip on the top of the center field wall to give the ‘Birds a 2-1 edge.

The lead was short-lived as the Grasshoppers took it back in the home half of the third. Carlos Paulino smacked a lead-off double to the left field corner. Paulino advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jose Torres. Then, Rand Smith drove a fly ball deep enough into center field to score Paulino. Following a Chase Austin single, Bass connected on his second homer of the game to give the ‘Hoppers a 4-2 advantage.

Chad Cregar tacked on another run as he hit a line drive homer over the right-center field wall in the fourth inning.

The Shorebirds chipped into the lead in the fifth inning. Brian Conley dropped a perfect bunt single to the right side to get aboard. Conley advanced to third on a throwing error by second baseman Jose Torres. Two batters, Kieron Pope hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Conley and trim the deficit to 5-3.

The Grasshoppers plated two more runs in the seventh against relief pitcher Tony Butler. Back-to-back walks by Butler forced in the first run and a sacrifice fly to left brought home the second run.

Greensboro put the exclamation point on the win in the eighth courtesy of the second home run of the game for Chad Cregar.

Greensboro starter Jose Alvarez earned the win in seven strong inning. He allowed only five hits and two earned runs. The loss was tagged to Shorebirds starter Bobby Bundy. In six innings, he surrendered six hits and five runs.

The Shorebirds play game two of the series on Wednesday morning at 10:45 AM. RHP Luis Noel makes his third start of the season.