The Asheville Tourists scored two runs in the ninth inning to edge the Hickory Crawdads 4-3 in front of 1,272 fans at McCormick Field last Sunday afternoon.

Victor Ferrante smacked a two-run, walk-off home run ó following Jay Coxís one-out triple ó to secure the victory.

The win lifted Asheville† to a 7-4 record in the second half of the South Atlantic League season.
Getting the win for Tourists was Tommy Baumgardner (1-1), who allowed one hit and no run in one inning of relief.

In other recent Touristsí baseball action:

ï Hickory limited hot-hitting Asheville to five hits en route to a 4-1 victory in front of 2,946 fans at McCormick Field last Saturday night. The suddenly punchless Tourists struck out 11 times. The lone Asheville offensive standout was Jay Cox, who finished 2-for-4. Starter Simon Ferrer (5-5) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on 11 hits in eight innings.

ï In a display of offensive fireworks by both teams, the Crawdads emerged the winner, topping the Tourists 13-8 in front of 2,636 fans at McCormick Field last Saturday night. The game marked the most runs (13) and hits (18) allowed by Asheville this season ó and was the third time a team scored in double digits against the Tourists in 2007. The loss also snapped the Touristsí four-game winning streak. Leading the attack for Asheville was Matt Repec, who finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs.

Getting the loss was starter Aneury Rodriguez (3-5), who allowed eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits in 4-1/3 innings.

ï Asheville beat the Greensboro Grasshoppers 8-2 to complete a four-game series sweep in front of 3,678 fans at McCormick Field last Thursday night. A highlight for the Tourists was Michael Paulís three-run homer that propelled Asheville to a 6-1 lead in the fifth inning. Paulkís shot was his fifth four-bagger in the last seven games. Recording the win was Andy Graham (7-5), who allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings. He fanned nine Grasshoppers.

ï The Tourists leveled the Grasshoppers 7-2 in front of a season-high 3,678 fans at McCormick Field last Wednesday. Trailing 2-1, Asheville ignited to score four runs keyed by a two-run shot by Daniel Mayora, followed by consecutive one-run homers by Michael Paulk and Michael McKenry in the third inning.† Recording the victory was starter Keith Weiser (9-4), allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out seven batters.

ï Asheville beat Greensboro 9-4 in front of 2,106 fans at McCormick Field on June 26. Starter Esmil Rogers (2-0) got the win, allowing four runs (none earned) on five hits in 7-2/3 innings. He struck out six Grasshoppers. At one point, Rogers retired 10 consecutive batters. Leading the Tourists at the plate was Bret Berglund, who finished 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs; Jay Cox, who was 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored; and Daniel Mayora, who finished 3-for-5 with a home run in the sixth inning.

ï The Tourists stomped the Grasshoppers 13-1 in front of 1,413 fans at McCormick Field on June 25. The Tourists smashed three home runs and 13 hits against the Grasshoppers, who committed four errors. Asheville scored six runs in the first inning to take charge early with a 6-1 lead. First-inning highlights included a three-run homer by Jhaysson Agustin and a two-run four-bagger by Michael Paul. Shortstop Hector Gomez swatted a solo shot in the fifth inning. Getting the win was Simon Ferrer (5-4), who allowed one run on five hits in nine innings and pitched the first complete game of the season for Asheville. He fanned seven Grasshoppers.