FL River City Rascals

Rascals Blank Crushers 6-0; Take 1-0 Series Lead In Finals

Published on September 17, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'FALLON, MO - The Rascals blasted three home runs and Josh Lowey tossed six scoreless innings as River City blanked Lake Erie 6-0 to take game one of the Frontier League Championship Series at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. The Rascals lead the best of five series 1-0 with game two tomorrow night in O'Fallon.

River City (4-0) stayed perfect in the postseason with three early runs on Brent Lysander (0-1). JoJo Batten knocked in Scott Houin in the first with a single to put the Rascals up 1-0. Josh Banda lifted a solo home run in the second and Danny Sawyer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the third for the 3-0 cushion.

That proved to be plenty for Josh Lowey (1-0) and company on the mound. Lowey tossed the first six allowing only six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks to earn his first playoff victory.

The Rascals put the game out of reach with three in the sixth against the Lake Erie bullpen. Jorge Gutierrez was hit by a Cristobal Mata pitch with one out and Banda followed with his second long ball of the night. Batten provided some more pop with his first home run in the playoffs, a solo shot off of Jacinto Gonell for the 6-0 final.

Lake Erie (3-3) had their best opportunity in the sixth against Lowey, starting the frame with three consecutive singles. Andrew Davis and Gordon Gronkowski started the rally and Tyler Johnson slapped a single right back up the middle, but Chris Colton gunned down Davis at home for the first out. After an Eddie Tisdale flyout, Arden McWilliams reached on an infield hit to load the bases with two outs. Tim Binkoski came off the bench and struck out looking to strand all three runners.

The Rascals' bullpen of Tony Marsala, Brent Solich and Jason Lowey combined to go the final three innings without allowing a hit on three strikeouts.

Lysander went five innings in the setback, surrendering three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and four walks.

Banda, Batten and Chad Maddox all had two hits as the Rascals collected nine hits on the night with seven going for extra-bases. Banda is now 3-10 in the playoffs with three home runs and six knocked in.

River City is now two wins away from securing their first ever Frontier League title. Jake Laber (0-0) will take the ball opposite Cardoza Tucker (1-0) tomorrow night in game two. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.

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Frontier League Stories from September 17, 2009


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