Surf's Up
The Atlantic City Surf opened its 10th season and first in the Can-Am League with a come from behind 5-4 victory over the league’s touring team The Grays. The level of play was several notches below the Surf’s former Atlantic League environs. The throws were not as crisp, the pitchers featured an array of wild pitches and hit batsmen, and the fielders seemed less sure of themselves. Of course opening night is always nerve-wracking.
Both teams were big on stolen base attempts. The Surf scored their first run without a hit thanks to a hit batter, a stolen base and two wild pitches.
One player who does have a strong arm is Surf centerfielder Lucas Taylor, who scored the first run noted above. In the top of the second with the bases loaded, a hard single was hit to center. Taylor charged the ball and threw a perfect strike to catcher Mischa Dworken, who successfully blocked the plate, which is more that Phils’ catcher Rod Barajas did the other day.
Atlantic City DH Rich Daly broke a 4-4 tie with a sacrifice fly to left center field that drove in Ed Montague in the eighth inning. And yes, that is the son of National League umpire Ed Montague. Atlantic City's Matt Pike earned the save.
The kids in the stands didn’t seem to care about the play on the field as long as Splash was in the house to amuse them.
Tonight, May 25, the Surf presents fireworks after the 7:05pm contest, and they have games on Saturday and Sunday. The team is then on the road for three games against the Brockton Rox, returning to Bernie Robbins Stadium for a 7-game homestand June 1. For more info on the Surf visit their Web site.