RiverDogs blanked by Asheville, 2-0

Ben Alsup fired seven shutout innings to earn the victory as the Asheville Tourists topped the Charleston RiverDogs, 2-0, in South Atlantic League baseball Friday night in front of 5,082 at Riley Park.

Asheville (59-33 overall, 12-10 second half) split the four-game series with the RiverDogs (52-37, 13-9).

Both of Asheville’s runs came in the fifth inning. Jared Simon and Joey Wong started the inning against RiverDogs starter Will Oliver (3-4) with singles and then pulled off a double steal. Simon scored on a fielder’s choice and Wong scored when the next batter grounded out.

Charleston’s best chance to score came in the first when Robert Refsnyder walked and stole second, but he was thrown out by right fielder Simon at home to end the inning.

Will Rankin and Jefri Hernandez closed the game with a scoreless inning apiece.

Ballpark fun

Before the game, the youngsters that participated in the three-day Charleston RiverDogs Baseball Camp were brought down onto the field, had their names announced to the crowd and got to shake hands with the entire RiverDogs team.

Coming up

The RiverDogs host Greenville today as right-hander Scottie Allen (3-5, 4.81 ERA) faces right-hander Jason Garcia (4-4, 6.07 ERA).

The 1955 Cannon Street All-Stars will be at the park, and the Lawrence Holt Memorial Scholarship will be presented during the game. The first 1,000 fans receive an original Negro League jersey, and tri-county residents get $1 off their tickets.