The 2005 Senators always rise to the challenge.  Whenever they take on a team with a winning record, they win.  It was no different on Thursday, as they defeated the Fauquier Gators 5-1 to widen the gap between them and the rest of the league.  The win was the second in a row for the Senators, who move to 16-3 overall.

The Senators quickly grabbed the lead in the first inning by scoring two runs.  Michael Rivera led off the game with a single.  Guillermo Martinez followed by hitting into a potential double play, but the Gators were only able to get Rivera out at second.  Martinez moved to second on the play.  Martinez then stole third.  He scored when AJ Lamonda hit a single to drive him in and make the score 1-0.  Justin Bunkis followed with a single, advancing Lamonda to second.  Lamond scored when Donald Brown singled into left field to make the score 2-0.  That is all the Senators would get in the first.

The Gators trimmed the Senator lead to 2-1 when Jason McManis singled to drive in Tim Alberts from third base.

The Senators responded in the fourth inning with three more runs.  Brown doubled to start the inning.  He advanced to third base on a Tim Guidry groundout.  Brown scored on a passed ball to make the score 3-1.  After drawing a walk, Leighton Autrey stole second to move into scoring position.  Scott Scudder then hit into a potential inning ending play to the shortstop, but the Gator shortstop committed an error, allowing Autrey to score from second and Scudder to reach first. Autrey’s run made the score 4-1. Scudder then advanced to second on a failed pick off attempt by the Gators.  Rivera singled to drive in Scudder and make the score 5-1.   Five runs was all the Senator pitchers needed.

The trio of Tyler Kimmons, Mark Dutmers, and Ricky Fairchild shut the door on the Gator hitters all evening.  As a unit, they allowed eight hits and only one run while striking out nine.  Bunkis continued his torrid hitting by collecting two hits on the night.  Rivera, Brown, and Wes Schirtzinger also chipped in with two hits apiece.  The Senators have Friday off and return to action again on Saturday against the Gators at Waters Field.  The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.  Come on out cheer on your first place Senators under the trees at Waters Field.