Walk-off homer in 10th fuels
Shorebirds over Tourists 3-1

SALISBURY, Md. ó The Delmarva Shorebirds scored two runs off Brandon Snyderís walk-off home run in the 10th inning to top the Tourists 3-1 in front of 4,719 fans on Sunday.

Taking the loss was reliever Craig Baker (3-1), who struck out the first two Delmarva batters before allowing a single and Snyderís shot. Baker allowed two runs on hits in two-thirds of an inning.

In other recent Touristsí baseball action:

ï The Shorebirds edged the Tourists 2-1 in front of 5,025 fans in Salisbury, Md., last Saturday night. Three Delmarva pitchers held Asheville to two hits, the first of which was a Victor Ferrante double in the eighth inning. Taking the loss was Keith Weiser (13-6), who allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. He registered five strikeouts.

ï Asheville ripped Delmarva 10-3 in the series opener in front of 3,566 fans in Salisbury last Friday night. The Touristsí 13-hit attack was led by Michael McKenry, who finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Recording the win was starter Esmil Rogers (5-2), who allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in seven innings. He fanned eight batters.

ï The Lakewood Blue Claws beat the Tourists 5-2 snapping a 10-game winning streak, in front of 6,288 fans in Lakewood, N.J., last Thursday night. The two teams committed a combined seven errors, as neither of Ashevilleís runs was earned. At the plate, Michael McKenry smacked two of the Touristsí three hits. Taking the loss was starter Simon Ferrer (6-8), who allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits in six innings.

ï Asheville beat Lakewood 10-4 for its 10th straight victory in front of 7,242 fans in Lakewood last Wednesday. Picking up the win was Aneury Rodriguez, who allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits in 5-1/3 innings. He struck out seven. Meanwhile, reliever Tommy Baumgardner (7-7) registered his 14th save of the season. At the plate, the Tourists were sparked by Geoff Stricklandís fourth-inning solo home run that gave his team a lead it never relinquished. Asheville is experiencing its longest winning streak of the season.

ï The Tourists whitewashed the Blue Claws 6-0 in front of 6,563 fans in Lakewood on July 31. Pitching a complete game and getting the win was Andy Graham (10-7), who allowed five hits in nine shutout innings. He fanned 11 batters. Leading Ashevilleís offensive attack was Hector Gomez, who finished 3-for 5, including two doubles, with one RBI. He scored two runs. Also smacking two doubles was the Touristsí Michael Paulk, who finished 2-for-4, with three RBI.

ï Keith Weiser won his South Atlantic League-leading 13th game as Asheville cruised to an 8-3 victory over Lakewood in front of 6,642 fans in Lakewood on July 30. Weiser (13-5) yielded a run on seven hits and a walk, with five strikeouts over six innings. At the plate, the Touristsí Jhaysson Agustin swatted a two-run homer ó his fifth of the season ó and Jay Cox connected for a solo shot, his sixth. Mike Paulk finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and Victor Ferrante also drove in a run.

Grizzlies rip apart Crusaders
27-0 for 3rd straight shutout

The Asheville Grizzlies whipped the Georgia Crusaders 27-0 in minor league football at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The Grizzlies, who now are 3-0 with three consecutive shutout victories, lead the Southern Division in the Southeastern Conference of the North American Football League.

Next, Asheville will visit the† Carolina Timberwolves at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Chapin, S.C.

The team will finish its season with an Aug. 18 clash with the Georgia Generals in Atlanta, Ga., and an Aug. 25 square-off with the Knoxville Knights at Memorial Stadium. All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Fletcher man smashes
record in triathlon race

CANTON ó A 27-year-old Fletcher man finished first in the second annual Lake Logan Triathlon last Saturday.

Beating last yearís top time by more than 10 minutes was Kevin Lisska, an engineer, who finished in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 25 seconds.

More than 360 racers competed in the Olympic distance triathlon, which includes a 1,500-meter swim, 40K (24.8-mile) bike race and a 10K (6.2-mile) run.