by Mark C. Robinson

Special to The Sentinel

ROCKVILLE, July 20 - On a hot Sunday afternoon at Knights' Field, the Maryland Redbirds faced off once more against the Rockville Express, gaining a victory with the final score 7-3.

The Redbirds were ready from the first inning, as a double from first baseman Tim Reeves drove in Adam Skonieczki for their first run. At the top of the second inning, a double by Redbird catcher Richard Pirkle gave him the opportunity to score the second run for Maryland, thanks to a single from the next player at bat, Gerardo Caceres. "We jumped out early," said Redbirds manager Pat Nagle, "which is always a good thing."

Rockville responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the second when a triple from Express center fielder Todd Eskelin brought home designated hitter Kevin McAvoy. After a couple of singles by Redbirds Jared Cozart and Gavin Swanson in the top of the third, Express pitcher Kevin Fuqua was brought in to relieve Chad Smith. Despite the change, a single from Caceres drove home Cozart, followed by another single by Jeff Guthridge to bring Pirkle once more across home plate. At the end of their turn at bat, the Redbirds were in the lead 4-1.

Then the Express defense tightened, keeping the Redbirds from adding any more runs for the next several innings. However, at the top of the sixth, Maryland once again pulled ahead. Skonieczki hit a triple, putting the outfielder in prime position as a double from second baseman Kevin McCall brought him across the plate once more for another run. A single from Reeves then drove in McCall for the next run, and the score at the end of the sixth inning was 6-1.

In spite of a commanding lead, the Express looked ready to stage a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, when a single from first baseman Joey Martin drove in second baseman Justin DeMarco. Then in the eighth, catcher Wynton Weather started off Rockville's turn at bat with a homerun, much to the delight of spectators. However, the Express were unable to capitalize on that play, and scored no more runs that inning. When the Redbirds came up to bat in the top of the ninth, a double from Swanson brought Cozart across the plate one more time, increasing Maryland's lead to four. The Express were unable to make up the difference, and the game ended with the final score 7-3. "My guys," said Nagle. "They came out ready to play and they swung the bat well."

Both managers acknowledged that the Redbirds had a distinct advantage, coming off of a rest day, while Rockville had just played a double header on a hot and humid Saturday. "That always plays into the mix," said Nagle. "We're coming off a rest day, and they're coming off a two-game swing, and at this time of the year ... it does make a difference."

"That had a lot to do with it. We played a double header yesterday," said Express manager James Pereira, "We're exhausted. We played the last five days in a row. Seven games in five days? We're tired."

MARYLAND - 7

ROCKVILLE - 3

M 1-1-2-0-0-2-0-0-1

R 0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0

R H E

M 7 15 2

R 3 7 1

Photo by Bill Wyckoff