Orleans Firebirds

Orleans Increases First Place Lead With Win

July 11, 2008

Orleans, Mass. – A night after falling for the first time in a week, the Orleans Cardinals wasted no time beginning another hot streak. The Cards knocked off division foe Harwich for the third time this season with a 10-5 victory. A loss by Brewster tonight gives Orleans a three point cushion in first place just past the halfway point of the season.

A lot of runs were scored tonight and 1B Nate Freiman (Duke) and OF Tim Wheeler (Sacramento St.) played a major role. Both players crushed two-run homers that landed well beyond the fence. Freiman finished the game going 3-for-5 with the home run and four runs batted in. Wheeler was 1-for-2 with two walks, three runs scored, a homer, two runs batted in and a stolen base.

The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead with the shot by Freiman in the second. They put up three runs in that frame, three more in the third and two in the fourth to take an 8-0 lead.

With the eight run lead, the Cards had the game seemingly in hand. Harwich had other ideas, however, and finally started to touch up starting pitcher LHP Isaac Morales (Cal State L.A.). Morales had pitched four solid innings and had two out in the fifth before Harwich OF DJ Belfonte (Nebraska) hit a three-run blast. The Mariners would add to it after a fielding error by Morales and another hit to make it a three run game.

Cardinals manager Kelly Nicholson made a pitching change and brought on LHP Justin Earls (Georgia) to end the threat. With the tying run at the plate, Earls did just that, forcing OF Brandon Belt (Texas) to ground out and end the frame with an 8-5 score.

Earls went on to throw 3.1 perfect innings as he received two more insurance runs. He finally handed the game over to LHP Quinn Haselhorst (Dayton) in the ninth with a five run advantage. Haselhorst allowed two hitters to reach but ended the game without any more damage to the scoreboard.

Other impressive performances for the Cardinals tonight came from 3B Rich Poythress (Georgia) and OF Gary Brown (Cal State Fullerton). Both delivered two hits, scored runs and had RBIs for Orleans. SS Cole Figueroa (Florida) had a two-run base knock.

The win for Orleans is important considering the road-heavy schedule the Cardinals will begin tomorrow. The Cards will play eight of the 11 games before the All-Star break away from Eldredge Park before returning home to play six of their final nine.

That stretch will be underway at 5:00pm tomorrow when Orleans travels to Cotuit. The Cardinals are 1-1 against the Kettleers this year. The game will be broadcast live on OrleansCardinals.com.

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Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Orleans Increases First Place Lead With Win July 11, 2008 Orleans, Mass. – A night after falling for the first time in a week, the Orleans Cardinals wasted no time beginning another hot streak. The Cards knocked off division foe Harwich for the third time this season with a 10-5 victory. A loss by Brewster tonight gives Orleans a three point cushion in first place just past the halfway point of the season. A lot of runs were scored tonight and 1B Nate Freiman (Duke) and OF Tim Wheeler (Sacramento St.) played a major role. Both players crushed two-run homers that landed well beyond the fence. Freiman finished the game going 3-for-5 with the home run and four runs batted in. Wheeler was 1-for-2 with two walks, three runs scored, a homer, two runs batted in and a stolen base. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead with the shot by Freiman in the second. They put up three runs in that frame, three more in the third and two in the fourth to take an 8-0 lead. With the eight run lead, the Cards had the game seemingly in hand. Harwich had other ideas, however, and finally started to touch up starting pitcher LHP Isaac Morales (Cal State L.A.). Morales had pitched four solid innings and had two out in the fifth before Harwich OF DJ Belfonte (Nebraska) hit a three-run blast. The Mariners would add to it after a fielding error by Morales and another hit to make it a three run game. Cardinals manager Kelly Nicholson made a pitching change and brought on LHP Justin Earls (Georgia) to end the threat. With the tying run at the plate, Earls did just that, forcing OF Brandon Belt (Texas) to ground out and end the frame with an 8-5 score. Earls went on to throw 3.1 perfect innings as he received two more insurance runs. He finally handed the game over to LHP Quinn Haselhorst (Dayton) in the ninth with a five run advantage. Haselhorst allowed two hitters to reach but ended the game without any more damage to the scoreboard. Other impressive performances for the Cardinals tonight came from 3B Rich Poythress (Georgia) and OF Gary Brown (Cal State Fullerton). Both delivered two hits, scored runs and had RBIs for Orleans. SS Cole Figueroa (Florida) had a two-run base knock. The win for Orleans is important considering the road-heavy schedule the Cardinals will begin tomorrow. The Cards will play eight of the 11 games before the All-Star break away from Eldredge Park before returning home to play six of their final nine. That stretch will be underway at 5:00pm tomorrow when Orleans travels to Cotuit. The Cardinals are 1-1 against the Kettleers this year. The game will be broadcast live on OrleansCardinals.com. (Unofficial Box Score)