FL River City Rascals

Big Eighth Leads to Win

Published on August 2, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO - The River City Rascals were able to snap their seven game losing streak with a win on Wednesday and headed into Thursday night's game against the Florence Freedom looking to start a new winning streak.

The Rascals jumped out to a 6-2 lead after three innings only to see the Freedom score five unanswered runs to take a 7-6 lead. The Rascals were able to tie up the game in the sixth, then take the lead with a three run eighth en route to a 10-7 victory.

Shortstop Brad Hough emerged as an offensive hero in the game going 3-4 with a home run and four RBI.

After the game, Hough talked about the new responsibilities he faces as an offensive leader.

"I really don't feel any pressure," said Hough. "I look at it like an opportunity. It makes you focus more, that's for sure."

The Rascals were able to get an early lead by scoring two runs in the first to go ahead 2-0.

After second baseman Jeff Landry and right fielder Andrew Sweet both grounded out to start the inning, first baseman Jeff Miller was able to coax a walk followed by a single from designated hitter Andy Bettis and a walk by left fielder Trey Hendricks to load the bases with two out. Next up was Hough who smoked a 2-RBI ground rule double over the left-center field wall.

After the Freedom picked up a run in the top of the second to make the score 2-1, the Rascals responded with three runs on three hits to extend their lead to 5-1.

Again Florence quickly got two outs against the Rascals before Landry hit a ground rule double. Sweet walked before Miller drove in Landry with an RBI single followed by an RBI double by Bettis.

Florence picked up another run in the third when shortstop Greg Stone walked to lead off the inning and came in to score one out later on an RBI double from designated hitter Ryan Basham. The Rascals responded with a run of their own in the third coming off a solo homer from Hough to make the score 6-2.

It was Hough's first home run, sixth on the season, since June 23 when he hit a grand slam at home against Traverse City.

The Rascals' four run lead would disappear in the fourth as the Freedom scored four runs on only one hit to tie the game at 6-6.

Florence second baseman Joe Holland got on with a walk to start the inning and made his way to third base thanks to a passed ball and a wild pitch. First baseman Josh Lex then drove in Holland with an RBI ground out. The big hit came one out later when Stone reached on an error and center fielder J.D. Foust walked bringing up Basham. Basham then crushed a 3-run home run over the Rascals' bullpen to tie the game.

The score would remain tied at 6-6 until the sixth when both teams scored one run to re-tie the game at 7-7. Foust would score for the Freedom after he was hit by a pitch then eventually came around to score on an RBI single from Basham. The Rascals responded when catcher Ken Lup walked and scored later in the inning on an error by Stone.

The Rascals would break the deadlock in the eighth when the scored three runs on four hits to take a 10-7 lead.

Lup led off the inning with a single and was sacrificed over to second by Landry. Sweet then drove in Lup with an RBI single and was replaced by Ryan Czyz to pinch run. Czyz scored during the next at-bat when Miller slapped an RBI double. Miller would eventually come around to score on an RBI single from Hough.

Rascals' reliever Chad Linder (2-2) picked up the win after throwing .2 innings and not allowing a run while allowing two hits and striking out one. Freedom reliever Cody Castle (2-1) got the loss for allowing three runs on four hits in one inning while walking and striking out one. Closer Mike Benacka struck out two in the ninth to record his save number 13.

The Rascals (26-40) take on the Freedom (33-33) again tomorrow with game time set for 7:05 pm at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.

*Puppy Chow*

Tomorrow, Friday August 3, is another Fireworks Friday presented by Progress West Healthcare! Remember to stay after the ballgame for a spectacular fireworks show.

Also don't forget that Saturday night is the Girl Scouts sleepover!

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from August 2, 2007


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