Pazak’s Blast Lifts Aces Past Grays, 10-8

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A two-run first-inning deficit didn’t last long. Alexandria answered with four runs in the second inning and went on to defeat the D.C. Grays 10-8 Wednesday night at Frank Mann Field.

The Grays struck first, scoring twice in the opening inning on an RBI groundout by Ethan Fox-Fernandez of Vassar College and an RBI single by Peyton Ford of California University of Pennsylvania.

Jack Rubin of Fordham University put Alexandria on the board with an RBI single, and Sam Dinitz of Mount St. Mary’s University followed with an RBI single to tie the game.

Liam Irving of Allegheny College delivered the go-ahead hit, and Jack Warner followed with a run-scoring single as Alexandria turned a two-run deficit into a 4-2 lead.

The Grays scratched across a run in the third inning to pull within 4-3.

Warner drove home Irving with an RBI single in the fourth inning, and Cooper Scott of Dallas College Mountain View added a run-scoring hit later in the frame to extend the lead to 6-3.

With two runners aboard in the fifth inning, Pazak stepped to the plate.

The University of Pennsylvania catcher unloaded on a pitch and sent it soaring over the fence toward left-center field.

Sitting not far from where the ball eventually landed, this reporter had a clear view as Pazak’s drive disappeared beyond the fence for a three-run homer.

Several fans seated along the outfield side immediately turned to track the ball as it carried beyond the fence. The crack of the bat left little doubt it had a chance.

The Aces dugout erupted as Pazak rounded third base, with teammates already leaning over the railing and gathering near home plate waiting to celebrate after the blast stretched Alexandria’s lead to 9-3.

The Grays began chipping away at Alexandria’s lead in the sixth inning and were within two runs by the end of the seventh.

Joey Chitla of William & Mary delivered a two-run double that scored Carter Sweeney-Strawberry of Rutgers University and Aaron Rowell of Pensacola State College, cutting Alexandria’s lead to 9-7.

Pazak wasn’t finished. In the bottom of the seventh, he lined an RBI single that scored Irving and restored Alexandria’s three-run advantage.

The Grays loaded the bases in the ninth inning and scored on a walk to Fox-Fernandez, trimming the lead to 10-8.

Vackar recorded the final outs to secure the victory and earn his first save of the season.

Pazak finished 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs to lead the Alexandria offense.

Warner seemed to find his way into nearly every important rally, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBIs, three runs scored, and two walks.

Irving added two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI. Scott, Rubin, and Dinitz also drove in runs as the Aces collected 13 hits.

On the mound, Jackson Mariano earned the victory after allowing three runs over five innings. Brody Shawn worked in relief before Vackar recorded the final eight outs.

The victory moved Alexandria back above .500 at 7-6, while the Grays dropped to 3-9.

The game lasted 3 hours and 32 minutes before an announced crowd of 65 at Frank Mann Field.

By the final inning, the outcome was far less certain than it had appeared after Pazak’s home run gave Alexandria a 9-3 lead.

The Grays kept coming, but the Aces made enough pitches and enough plays to finish the job.

When the final out was recorded, Alexandria had overcome an early deficit, survived a late scare, and earned its seventh victory of the season on a breezy summer night at Frank Mann Field.

Up Next

The Aces travel to Criswell Automotive Field in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Thursday night for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Gaithersburg Giants.

Alexandria then returns home Saturday for a doubleheader against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts at Frank Mann Field. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 5 p.m., with the second game to follow.

Aces tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children and may be purchased at the gate or online at alexandriaaces.org/tickets.