Gourley earns first professional hit

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on July 8, 2009 1:46 PM

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Former Eastern Wayne standout Walker Gourley saw his first action at the professional level on Tuesday as his Gulf Coast Pirates fell 8-3 to the GulfCoast Phillies in Bradenton, Fla.

Gourley served as the designated hitter for the contest and tallied one hit in three at-bats.

A 13th-round draft pick, Gourley took the field in the opening game of an afternoon double-header under the Florida sun. Trailing 4-2, the Pirates made a comback in the home half of the fifth inning.

Neil Walker doubled to center field and was immediately plated by Gift Ngoepe's single. Gourley followed with a single, but the rally was squashed when Ngoepe was thrown out at third base.

The Phillies added four runs in the top of the sixth and put the game out of reach. The teams concluded their three game serires today at noon.