News Summary
The Hub City Spartanburgers triumphed over the Aberdeen IronBirds with a thrilling 4-3 win in their season opener. Highlights included a strong performance by pitcher Leandro Lopez, and Malcolm Moore’s successful return from injury, contributing two runs. The game was marked by significant turning points, especially in the fifth inning when both teams exchanged leads. Looking ahead, the Spartanburgers are set to face the IronBirds again in their next match.
Spartanburg
The Hub City Spartanburgers secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the Aberdeen IronBirds in their season opener on Tuesday morning. The game took place at 11:05 a.m. ET, marking an encouraging start to the week for the Spartanburgers, who are currently holding a record of 2-2 this season and an overall record of 33-36.
Game Highlights
Rangers No. 2 prospect Malcolm Moore made a notable return from injury, contributing significantly by driving in two runs and recording two hits. Hub City’s starting pitcher, Leandro Lopez, excelled on the mound, striking out seven batters and allowing only one run, which came from a solo home run. Lopez faced just the minimum number of batters during the first three innings, showcasing strong control.
On the other hand, Aberdeen’s pitcher Juan Rojas performed well early on, not allowing any hits until the fourth inning despite dealing with three walks. However, the Spartanburgers struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, stranding runners on base throughout the first four innings.
Turning Points in the Game
The game took a turn in the fifth inning when Lopez ran into trouble. TT Bowens led off the inning with a home run, briefly leveling the score. Despite allowing a walk and a single that put runners on base, Lopez managed to escape the situation with a strikeout and a popout.
Following the defensive stand, Hub City erupted in the bottom of the fifth. Luis Marquez and Keith Jones II struck singles, paving the way for Moore to tie the game with his first hit since April 15. Joey Danielson came in as pitcher in the sixth inning, but it was the Spartanburgers’ offense that picked up momentum.
The sixth inning saw Griff O’Ferrall hitting a single, followed by an opposite-field double from Bowens, which scored O’Ferrall. With one out, Casey Cook’s single ended Rojas’s day on the mound. Right-hander Trent Turzenski replaced Rojas, but the Spartanburgers built on their momentum as Cook’s stolen base set up Arturo Disla’s hit that tied the game at 2-2.
Securing the Win
In the seventh inning, recent addition Dalton Pence debuted for the Spartanburgers, pitching an impressive scoreless inning, despite allowing a leadoff double and a walk. Notably, Pence struck out three batters, establishing a solid presence on the mound. As the game progressed, Hub City’s Anthony Gutierrez drove Jones in with an RBI hit, putting the Spartanburgers ahead 4-2.
Wilian Bormie took to the mound for the ninth inning to close out the game. Despite facing a challenging scenario after Aron Estrada hit a solo home run, Bormie responded by striking out three consecutive batters in the eighth and finishing strong in the ninth inning.
What’s Next for the Teams
The Hub City Spartanburgers and Aberdeen IronBirds are set to face off again on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. ET. Scheduled pitchers for the upcoming game include Josh Trentadue from Hub City, who holds a record of 1-1 with a 1.18 ERA, and Sebastian Gongora from Aberdeen, who boasts a 1-0 record with a 1.98 ERA.
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Additional Resources
- Milb: Why Professional Baseball Returned to Spartanburg
- MLB: Visit Fifth Third Park, Home of the Hub City Spartanburgers
- Go Upstate: Crews Prepare Spartanburg’s Fifth Third Park for Cole Swindell Concert
- Fox Carolina: First Game at New Spartanburg Ballpark to Feature Wofford, USC Upstate
- Greenville Journal: Spartanburg’s Fifth Third Park Nearly Ready for Opening Day
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Google Search: Spartanburg baseball
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg baseball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Google News: Spartanburg baseball
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
