The Asheville Tourists took the 2014 South Atlantic League season to the brink as they faced the Hagerstown Suns in a decisive Game Five of the SAL Championship series.
With the winner claiming the title and the loser finishing as the runner-up, the Tourists rode a phenomenal pitching performance from starter Konner Wade to a 4-1 season-ending victory.
Wade, who picked up a win in Game One of the series, worked seven shutout innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Konner finished the series with 12 shutout innings pitched. Offensively, the Tourists used some timely hits early and held on late to secure the championship.
In the top of the first, Ryan McMahon worked a two-out walk, stole second, and scored on Correlle Prime’s single into right. Raimel Tapia made it 2-0 with a solo Home Run in the top of the third. With runners at first and second in the fourth, Zach Osborne clubbed a two-out double to center plating a pair.
Asheville continued to threaten the entire way but never did add to the lead. Hagerstown managed an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth, but Trent Daniel closed the door in the ninth. Daniel issued a lead-off walk to Drew Ward, but settled in. Daniel induced a fly out to center from Carlos Lopez, struck out Jimmy Yezzo looking, and induced a line-out from David Masters to McMahon for the championship clinching out. It was Daniel’s third save of the post-season. Troy Neiman earned a hold by notching a pair of outs in the eighth.
After recording the final out, the Tourists spilled out of the dugout and dogpiled in front of second base. The celebration continued on the field as South Atlantic League President Eric Krupa presented the championship trophy and announced Asheville as the champions.
The 2014 Asheville Tourists finished the season with a 94-51 record including the post-season; two games better than the 2012 championship squad. Asheville won 30 of the 38 road games they played since the All-Star break.