SAL Rome Emperors

Ball Leads Rome to Home Opener Victory

Published on May 19, 2021 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Rome Emperors News Release


Bryce Ball of the Rome Braves
Bryce Ball of the Rome Braves
(Rome Emperors)

ROME, GA - A late two-run home run from Bryce Ball powered the Rome Braves (8-5) to a 6-5 victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (9-4) on Tuesday night at State Mutual Stadium. The win places Rome one game out of first place in the High-A East South Standings.

The R-Braves trailed 1-0 early in the contest but wasted no time battling back. In the bottom of the third inning, Michael Harris II tied it up with an RBI single to score Garrison Schwartz from third base. After working his way around the bases, Harris came home on a sacrifice fly from Logan Brown to give Rome their first lead of the night. Cody Milligan drove in Beau Philip on a ground ball to put the Braves up by two runs in the fourth inning and, two innings later, tallied another RBI by bringing home Andrew Moritz with a two-out base hit. Bowling Green rallied to knot it up in the top of the seventh inning, but Bryce Ball made sure that it was a short-lived tie. With Michael Harris II aboard, Ball blasted a home run past the right field fence to put Rome on top 6-4. The Braves would not relinquish that advantage in their 6-5 win in the home opener.

Bryce Ball was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and one run scored in the victory. The infielder has shown a tendency for the long ball so far this season, but none have been more important than his third four-bagger of 2021. The two-run blast against the Hot Rods was an integral part of the Braves' slim victory at State Mutual Stadium.

Kasey Kalich earned his second save of the season for his efforts on Tuesday night. Kalich pitched the final two innings for Rome and allowed zero runs on just one hit and one walk. The 23-year-old right-handed reliever struck out three Bowling Green batters in the eighth and ninth innings to secure the victory for the Braves.

Rome will host Bowling Green for the second game of this six-game series in Floyd County. First pitch at State Mutual Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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Bryce Ball of the Rome Braves
Bryce Ball of the Rome Braves
   



South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2021


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