BROCKTON, MA – (May 29, 2009) – The Sussex Skyhawks set the theme early on Friday night at Campanelli Stadium, scoring two runs in the first inning.  They scored at least two runs in five different innings taking an easy 11-3 win and pushing the Rox to 0-2 out of the gates.

Skyhawks LHP Roger Lincoln recorded the victory, his first of the season.  While he allowed three runs in five innings of work, his offense made it an effortless evening, giving him six runs to work with before he departed.  Rookie RHP Carter Clements worked the final four innings and earned a save.

Sussex was lead offensively by RF Maikel Jova who finished the night 4-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.  He reached base each time he came to the plate, finding first base safely in his final at-bat due to a Rox error.  All nine Skyhawks scored at least one run in the game and five different players picked up RBIs.

The Rox offense was slow to start, but received a boost from RF Jud Thigpen who hit his first home run of the season off of Lincoln in the fourth inning.  His solo shot pulled the Rox within three runs with the score 4-1.  After Sussex added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning, Brockton attempted to keep pace with two runs of it’s own in the bottom half of the frame.  2B Melvin Falu and SS Dominic Ramos each drove in a run to cut the score to 6-3.  The Rox were unable to score for the remainder of the contest.

RHP John Kelly lost for just the fourth time in his career as friend or foe at Campanelli Stadium.  It was the veteran right-handers 33^rd career start in Brockton (as either a member of the home or visiting team), and he entered the contest with a 15-3 record in those 32 previous starts.  Kelly lasted only four innings and surrendered four runs on eight hits while striking out four.  The Rox trotted out five pitchers on the night, getting effective relief performances from LHP Brad Hertzler (2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K), and RHP Jerry Dunn who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.  RHP Matt Zachary had his one inning of relief extended by an error which opened the gates to a three-run inning by the Skyhawks (all unearned).

Sussex and Brockton square off in the third game of the four-game series on Saturday night.  RHP Stevie Delabar will take the ball for Brockton opposite RHP Justin Knoff of the Skyhawks.  Saturday night’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.