RODAWAY SOLID, ATLANTIC CITY EARNS SERIES SPLIT WITH 5-3 VICTORY
July 31 Recap

Atlantic City, N.J. – Starter Brian Rodaway had a solid outing and earned his eighth victory of the season as the Atlantic City Surf defeated the Ottawa Rapidz, 5-3, to earn a split of the four-game series in a Can-Am League affair at Bernie Robbins Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Surf (12-5) tallied a run in the first, as CF Josh Burrus led off the inning with a triple and was brought home on 2B Brad Thoma’s RBI groundout. Ottawa tied things up in the second when C Keith Geiger scored on RF Pete Pirman’s double play, but Atlantic City regained the lead in their half of the frame when DH Michael Santoro brought home C William Plaza with a sacrifice fly.

The Rapidz took a brief lead in the fourth inning with Pirman’s sacrifice fly and DH Nate Hall’s RBI single. The Surf then grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run home run from RF Jason Hurst, who was signed shortly before the start of the game. Atlantic City added an insurance run in the seventh on LF Clyde Williams’ RBI single up the middle, bringing home Thoma.

It was enough for Rodaway (8-5), who threw eight innings, giving up three runs on eight hits while striking out six. Kyle George earned his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. Ottawa’s Fraser Robinson (3-6) was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs on nine hits, fanning seven.

On the offensive end for the Surf, Hurst finished the evening 2-for-4, while Plaza, who came into the game in the midst of a 4-for-39 slump, broke out with a 3-for-4 night that included a double and a run scored. For the Rapidz, Geiger, Hall and LF Jerome Milons were each 2-for-4.

With the victory, the Surf stay a game up on Quebec for first place in the second half. The Capitales completed a series sweep of visiting New Jersey with a 4-2 win.

Atlantic City travels to Brockton to start a three-game set on Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. J.C. Huguet (7-3) will be on the hill for the Surf, while John Kelly (5-4) throws for the Rox.