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KOONCE RIPS SIX HITS VS EMPIRE; K.C. WINS IN 9TH
KINGS COUNTY STAR GOES 6 FOR 6; SCORES WINNING RUN TO KEEP TEAM ABOVE .500

BROOKLYN (June 19, 1869) – Kings County won both halves of a Friday doubleheader at home against last-place Empire, and they were expected to dominate again on Saturday. That did not happen, but Kings Co. still pulled out a result:

Ahead 11-8 going into the top of the ninth, substitute P Ernest Wise allowed runs via Fielder’s Choice and a pair of singles to tie the game at 11-11. With one out and the bases empty in the bottom half of the inning, Kings Co. 1B Garfield Koonce hit a double to center field off Clyde Parnell, moved to third base via sacrifice, and then scored the winning run on a single by CF Edward Johnson.

Koonce’s work in the final inning ended a fantastic day for the star:

• B1: Single past 2B off R. Dodson
• B3: Leadoff Double past 1B off R. Dodson (R)
• B4: 1-run Double past 1B off R. Dodson (R)
• B6: Leadoff Single b/w 1B & 2B off R. Dodson (R)
• B7: 1-run Single past 2B off W. Berg
• B9: Double to CF off A. Tate (R)
• TOTAL: 6/6, 3 2B, 4 R, 2 RBI, 9 TB, GW RUN, 90 GMSC

Koonce’s six hits raised his average to .375 with an OPS of .971, both marks higher than his debut season last year. He has 47 RBI through 34 games, putting him on pace for a record-setting 97 and giving him an outside chance at becoming the first player ever with 100 RBI in a single season.

After a season and a half as Kings County’s regular first baseman, the 24-year-old Koonce has been everything the team has hoped he could be.