K-Tribe impressive

Published in Sports on July 27, 2005 2:02 PM

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FREDERICK, Md. -- The Kinston Indians' offense was too much for the Frederick Keys to handle for the second night in a row as the visiting K-Tribe jumped out to a comfortable lead, scoring in each of the first four innings, on their way to a record-setting 25-4 win Tuesday night.

The Indians (14-17 second half) got to Keys (15-11 second half) starter Brian Finch early as Mike Conroy led the game off with a single before Nathan Panther doubled down the left field line to move Conroy to third. Later, Stephen Head singled to left field to give Kinston a 2-0 advantage.

In the second inning Brandon Pinckney singled through the left side and later scored on a Conroy single through the right side to extend Kinston's lead to three.

Stephen Head would drive in two more in the top of the third inning with a two-run home run off Finch. Pinckney singled to drive in another Kinston run, as the Indians took a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Keys lifted Finch after three for Trevor Caughey, but the result was the same, as Nathan Panther struck out, but reached on a passed ball by catcher Mike Russell. Panther moved to third on back-to-back singles by Head and Choy Foo, then scored when Brian Barton reached on a fielder's choice to put Kinston ahead 7-0.

The Keys answered in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Travis Brown led off the inning with a double. After Jeff Fiorentino walked, Nate Spears double to right to drive in the Keys first run and send Fiorentino to third. Kyle Collins came on in relief of Adam Miller and promptly took a Mario Delgado ground out off the leg, but Fiorentino scored for the Keys second run of the inning. Branden Florence followed with a double down the left field line to score Spears, bringing the Keys within four.

But Kinston would explode for seven runs in the top of the sixth inning highlighted by two-run doubles by Pinckney and Conroy, taking a 14-3 lead.

The Indians were far from done, as the Keys gave up eight runs in the seventh inning, also a season-high, highlighted by Head's grand slam off Beau Hale. Kinston would add a run in the eighth when Argenis Reyes led off the inning with a homer off Alvarez. The Indians scored twice more in the top of the ninth to complete the record-setting evening.

Bryan Bass hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, his eighth, but it was too late, as the Keys fell 25-4.

Finch (7-7) took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned, over three innings. Trevor Caughey, Jeff Montani, Beau Hale and Gera Alvarez were each tagged for runs, before Delgado moved from first base to the mound to retire the last two batters.

Miller tossed 41/3 innings allowing three runs on five hits, before Collins (1-0) tossed 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit to earn the victory.

The Tribe with go for the sweep today as Kinston and Frederick play the third game of their three game series at 7:05 p.m.

-- Information courtesy of the Frederick Keys