5 SERIES PREVIEW MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM A MEMORABLE SEASON 8
BY THE NUMBER
With an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth, the Charleston RiverDogs return to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to face the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the final time this season. This will also be the final homestand of the regular season for the RiverDogs, who lead the season series with the Pelicans 9-8.
Myrtle Beach, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will visit the Holy City for the first time since mid-July. The Pelicans, led by Buddy Bailey, have already clinched a playoff berth, edging the RiverDogs by one game for the south division crown in the first half of the season. The second half has been a different story, though. They come into this six-game series with a 72-48 overall record (25-29 in the second half) and sit nine games back in the south division, having not won a series in the month of August. For the Pelicans, 2021 second round pick James Triantos is one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Cubs farm system at the third base position. As the series begins, he is second in the Carolina League with 110 hits on the season. Outfielder, Kevin Alcantara, the number four prospect in the Cubs organization, is another player to watch. He leads the team with 13 home runs as well as 77 RBI, which is the most in the Carolina League. On the mound, they are led by RHP Tyler Santana, who is one of the best pitchers in the Carolina League with an 11-1 record in 24 appearances.
After an impressive 9-4 road trip, the RiverDogs, the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, look to clinch a playoff berth and defend their championship from a year ago in the final home series of the 2022 season. Managed by Blake Butera, they currently own the best record in minor league baseball at 80-40 (34-20 in the second half) and lead the south division by 3.5 games over the Columbia Fireflies. Offensively, the RiverDogs have a .253 team batting average, which is the highest in the Carolina League. Outfielder Shane Sasaki has been a tough out in the month of August. The Honolulu, Hawaii native has won Carolina Player of the Week twice this month and owns the best batting average in the Carolina League at .318. Over his last two months, Willy Vasquez has been on fire. Having won Carolina League Player of the Month in July, Vasquez has continued his tear in August, hitting .351 over his last 25 games with 21 runs driven in during that stretch. While the RiverDogs bats have not cooled off this season, neither has the pitching staff. Their team ERA of 3.67 puts them at the top of the Carolina League. In the back of the bullpen, RHP Kamron Fields has been nearly unhittable. This month, he has yet to give up an earned run in seven appearances and sports a 2-0 record.
Tuesday, August 30, 7:05 p.m.: “Ambassa-Dog” Dog Show/Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: It’s the final chance to bring your dog to a game during the regular season. We know, we are sad too….but we have something to brighten your mood! We are hosting a dog show to determine our 2023 Dog Days Ambassa-Dog. Which canine will rise above the competition to secure this honor? Paws what you are doing and join us to find out. North Charleston dog handler Allen Brown and his champion level giant schnauzer, Kheif, will be in attendance for the dog show and to throw out a first pitch. In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer as Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.
Wednesday, August 31, 7:05 pm: Boiled Peanuts Night presented by Luray Peanut Co./Wicked Wednesday presented by Wicked Weed: For the final time this season, we are partnering with Luray Peanut Co. and taking the field as our alternate identity, the Boiled Peanuts! The team will tip their sweetgrass caps to South Carolina’s official state snack by wearing dark green uniforms with a peanut pattern on the sleeves. The cap features a peanut-patterned brim and the logo depicts a peanut relaxing in a boiling pot of water. Also, we have one last hump day wicked ticket deal to share. This week, purchase one ticket in any section (excluding Diamond View) and receive another ticket for free with the code: RIVAL. Finally, it’s Tech Night, celebrating Charleston’s growing tech community, presented by Blackbaud.
Thursday, September 1, 7:05 pm: Squad Goals/Amputee Awareness Night/Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Budweiser: We know college is back in session, so take a trip around campus and bring your squad to the game. The bigger your squad, the more rewards you receive. A squad of 50 or more will receive 100 Doggy Dollars. That’s a significant amount of free beer. In partnership with Floyd Brace Company on Amputee Awareness Night, the first 600 fans into the ballpark will receive a boot-shaped cup. There is a reason that Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long. $4 well cocktails will also be available during “happy hour” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of DJ DollaMenu. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx.
Friday, September 2, 7:05 pm: Red Jersey Auction/Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their red alternate jerseys on the field. The jerseys, which have been worn for every Friday home game this season, will be auctioned off during the game. This is your chance to own a uniform worn by one of the players on the team with the most wins in Minor League Baseball! Following the game, enjoy the final fireworks show of the season set to live music from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.
Saturday, September 3, 6:05 pm: Marvel Super Hero™ Night/Military Appreciation Night/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways: We have an inkling that an evil flock of Pelicans will descend on the Holy City during this game. Have no fear, the RiverDogs are flying to the rescue on Marvel Super Hero Night adorned in Captain America themed jerseys. Those very jerseys will be auctioned off throughout the game. Speaking of heroes, this is our final gigantic tribute to military members of the season alongside Boeing. Members of the military will receive a free ticket to the game by calling the RiverDogs box office. The team will also make their latest inductions into the Hall of Honor prior to the contest. Finally, stay in your seat for a live performance of God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch. You never know what kind of fun is in store when you walk into the ballpark on a Saturday Live at The Joe! After the game, stick around for a light show featuring our LED ballpark lights! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.
Sunday, September 4, 5:05 pm: MUSC Health Family Sunday: Parking is free for the family-oriented final home game of the season! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. Following the game, we will honor one of our players as the 2022 Top Dog. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
This season has been a special one for the defending champion Charleston RiverDogs. They have the best record in Minor League Baseball and are competing for a playoff spot in order to defend their crown. There are numerous highlights from this year that fans can choose from, but here is a look at the top moments from the 2022 RiverDogs.
# 5: April 23; Jack Snyder’s Wild Debut
April 23, 2022 will be a day that Jack Snyder will remember for the rest of his life. The former Independent Leaguer’s day started in Bowling Green, Kentucky, ended in Salem, Virginia and had a few other stops along the way.
That morning, Snyder got a call that he would be joining the RiverDogs. His day of travel started when he made the hour drive to Nashville, TN and flew to Charlotte, NC. Meanwhile, the RiverDogs were in the middle of a game against the Salem Red Sox. When Snyder got off the bus in Salem, the RiverDogs were in the seventh inning. He got his uniform on, went to the bullpen and started doing his drills. Then, he got the call that he was coming into pitch the next inning. “I got about five warm-up pitches, and they asked me if I was good to go,” he said. “At this point, yes. I am ready to go.”
After all of that, Snyder pitched the final 1.2 innings of the ball game, giving up no runs, hits or walks and struck out four batters as the RiverDogs defeated the Red Sox 10-6. After 12 hours of travel across multiple states, Snyder was credited with the save and helped his new teammates win the game.
#4: Vernon’s Dominant Month of May
Austin Vernon was among the best in the Carolina League during his time in Charleston. In 15 appearances for the RiverDogs this season, he was 9-1 with a 1.69 ERA. In the month of May, he was flawless. Through 20.1 innings pitched across five appearances, he was 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA and at one time, led the minor leagues in strikeouts, earning him Carolina League Player of the Month. Vernon gave up just one run the entire month, which came against the Delmarva Shorebirds on May 27.
Though he gave up the run, do not let that fool you. That day, he was as dominant as ever. He went 5.0 innings, giving up the one run on four hits and striking out a season-high 11 batters.
Though his time in Charleston was short, Vernon showed the Tampa Bay Rays organization why they made the right decision drafting him in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of North Carolina Central.
#3: July 4; Independence Day Miracle
After losing their first series of the season the week prior, the RiverDogs came back home to host the Augusta GreenJackets for their first home game on Fourth of July since 2018. Things could not have started out any worse for RiverDogs as the GreenJackets immediately jumped out to a 7-0 lead, scoring in each of the first four innings. The RiverDogs could not get anything going until the bottom of the seventh inning.
Down 7-4 with the bases loaded, Oneill Manzeuta came up to the plate. He got a fastball and smoked a fly ball off of the foul pole in left field to give the RiverDogs an 8-7 lead. The largest crowd of the season at 6, 415 went crazy as the RiverDogs completed the comeback.
The lead expanded to 11-7, as the RiverDogs sent 12 men to the plate and scored 10 runs on six hits. They needed all 11 of those runs because the GreenJackets would not go away. They scored three runs in the
final two innings and left the bases loaded in the ninth, giving the RiverDogs the narrow 11-10 victory.
This win was the largest come from behind win for the RiverDogs this season and started a run that has earned them the best record in all of Minor League Baseball.
#2: July 30; Late-Inning Magic in the Holy City
For most of this game, the RiverDogs once again found themselves down entering the final innings, but like most of this season, this team did not stop fighting. Behind 7-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Down East Wood Ducks, the RiverDogs pulled off another miraculous comeback. With one out and men at second and third, Alejandro Pie doubled to narrow the Wood Duck lead to two.
Two batters later, down to his last strike, Shane Sasaki came through with an RBI single to keep the game going for Carson Williams. Williams, who was also down to his last strike, lined a ball into the gap and tied the game with an RBI triple to send it to extra innings.
After a clean inning from Brayden Theriot, the RiverDogs were threatening again in the bottom of the tenth inning. With Spikes at second, Kenny Piper came to the plate with a walk-off in mind. “I am just looking for a fastball again,” said Piper. “With two strikes, I am looking for something up and hard. He gave me that fastball and I did what I could with it to get the job done.”
He got the fastball on 0-2 and drilled it into right field just over the out-stretched arm of the right fielder to give the RiverDogs the walk-off victory.
#1: June 23; Leon Lifts the RiverDogs to Victory
With a first half playoff berth on the line, the RiverDogs found themselves behind 2-0 entering the bottom of the ninth inning against the Columbia Fireflies.
After the first two men struck out to begin the inning, the RiverDogs started a rally, as Bobby Seymour lined a double into the gap. Then, down to his last strike, Shane Sasaki lined a single into center field to cut the Firefly lead to 2-1.
With Luis Leon coming to the plate, the Fireflies made a pitching change. On the first pitch after the change, Leon sent Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park into a frenzy with a walk-off two-run home run to keep the RiverDogs alive in the playoff race.
Though the RiverDogs were unable to clinch a playoff berth that night, Leon’s home run will be remembered by many RiverDogs fans in attendance.
