Seven-Run Rally Falls Short as Keys Walk Off Tourists 8-7

FREDERICK, Md. — For two innings Saturday night, the Tourists were on an offensive mission. Seven straight runs. A five-run deficit erased. A two-run lead in hand.

Then Frederick took it right back.

The Keys walked off Asheville for the second time in the series, winning 8-7 on a Leandro Arias sac fly in the bottom of the ninth to take, at least, a 4-0 series win. It was a gut-punch ending to a game the Tourists very nearly took.

Kellan Oakes was roughed up early, allowing four runs in three innings as Frederick jumped out to a 5-0 lead through four. Grayson Saunier steadied things with 2.2 solid innings.

Then the sixth inning arrived.

Xavier Neyens launched a two-run home run to left, his fifth for Asheville and 19th of the season, to cut it to 5-2. DJ Newman followed with a two-run single to make it 5-4. A balk scored Brandon Nigh from third to tie it at five. A John Garcia bases-loaded walk scored Newman to put the Tourists ahead 6-5. That was followed by a Daudet bases-loaded walk to score Neyens to make it 7-5. Seven straight runs and a two-run lead. The Asheville offense was alive.

Frederick answered in the seventh. Braylon Whitaker tripled on a fly ball to center that bounced over Caden Powell’s head to score two and tie it at seven. From there both teams went quiet until the ninth.

Asheville had a golden chance to win it first. With the game tied, the Tourists loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth. Jaydn Fielder, playing in his first game with Asheville, stepped in with the go-ahead run at third. He grounded into a double play to end the inning and set Frederick up to walk it off.

Francisco Frias came back on in the bottom of the ninth and gave up a single and two walks before Arias lifted a sacrifice fly to left to end it. 8-7 Frederick.

Caden Powell was Asheville's offensive standout, going 3-for-4 with a walk. Neyens went 1-for-3 with his home run and two walks. Daudet drew a team-high four walks on the night.

Asheville and Frederick meet again Sunday in a doubleheader of seven-inning games beginning at 2:00 p.m.