Atkins, Trio of Homers Push Rockers past Ducks
Published on June 8, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release
EAST ISLIP, N.Y. - Mitch Atkins pitched eight strong and efficient innings and the offense backed him up with 11 hits including three home runs in a 7-2 win over the Long Island Ducks on Tuesday night at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Atkins needed just 89 pitches in allowing three hits over eight innings. He did not walk a batter and recorded three strikeouts. Preston Gainey pitched the ninth and sandwiched a lone single around a pair of strikeouts. Atkins' eight innings of work marked the second-longest start by a Rockers' pitcher in the franchise's brief history.
The win moved the Rockers to 7-3 on the season and into first place in the Atlantic League's South Division as Lexington lost to West Virginia on Tuesday night to fall to 7-4.
High Point scored twice in the first inning when Cesar Trejo homered to lead off the game and James McOwen doubled and scored on a single by Logan Morrison.
The Rockers added a single run in the third inning when Michael Russell singled, moved to second on a walk to Jared Mitchell, took third on a fly ball out by Stuart Levy and scored on a wild pitch by Long Island starter Mike Bolsinger.
Trejo staked the Rockers to a 4-0 lead with a solo homer in the fourth, his second of the night and third of the season. In the fifth, High Point tacked on two more runs when Russell singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Edwin Arroyo and Giovanny Alfonzo singled to drive home Stuart Levy who had reached on a walk.
James McOwen slammed a long home run to right leading off the seventh to extend High Point's lead to 7-0.
The Rockers continue their road trip at Long Island on Wednesday night at 6:35 at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Atlantic League Stories from June 8, 2021
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- High Point Hits Their Way Past Long Island - Long Island Ducks
- Atkins, Trio of Homers Push Rockers past Ducks - High Point Rockers
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