
Express Claim 8-6 Win to Close out Opening Weekend
Published on March 31, 2024 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (2-1) beat the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (1-2) on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 8-6 at Dell Diamond, taking the season-opening series two games to one.
Round Rock starter RHP Adrian Sampson (1-0, 3.60) took home the victory when he struck out four batters over 5.0 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits and one walk. The loss went to Sugar Land starter RHP Rhett Kouba (0-1, 7.71), who allowed two runs, two hits and three walks in 2.1 innings of work.
Along the Train Tracks:
The scoring began in the bottom of the third for Round Rock. A Matt Duffy infield single to third base, Andrew Knapp double to right and a Sandro Fabian 12-pitch walk loaded the bases before 1B Justin Foscue and C Sam Huff each drew an RBI walk to make the score 2-0.
In the ensuing inning, Fabian doubled home SS Jonathan Ornelas, followed immediately by CF Elier Hernandez driving in Duffy and Fabian on a two-RBI double to increase the E-Train lead to 5-0. Foscue and 3B Davis Wendzel walked to load the bases yet again for Huff, who brought all the runners home on a double to the right center field gap, making the score 8-0. As they batted around, the six runs scored marks the highest scoring inning for the Express on the young season.
The top of the fifth saw Sugar Land get on the board thanks to a two-run home run by 3B David Hensley, scoring 2B Will Wagner to cut the Round Rock lead to 8-2.
Fast forward to the top of the ninth inning where Space Cowboys SS Shay Whitcomb delivered a grand slam make it a final of 8-6.
E-Train Excerpts:
Round Rock RHP Adrian Sampson was sharp in his first outing of 2024. He earned the victory after going 5.0 innings, where he allowed two runs on three hits and one walk, while striking out four.
Reliever RHP Shane Greene saw his first action in an Express uniform, throwing one shutout inning and striking out one Space Cowboy.
Round Rock frequented first base in the game, drawing nine walks as a team.
C Sam Huff had himself quite an afternoon, driving in four of the eight runs for the E-Train as part of a 2-for-4 day that included one double and one walk.
Next up: Round Rock travels to El Paso to take on the Chihuahuas for a six-game series beginning Tuesday, April 2. Starting pitchers for Tuesday's opener are to be determined.
Single game tickets as well as full season and other membership plans are on sale now. For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Pacific Coast League Stories from March 31, 2024
- Strong Pitching Gives Bees Doubleheader Split - Salt Lake Bees
- El Paso Completes Ninth-Inning Comeback to Claim 16-15 Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Home Runs Propel Tacoma to Series Win - Tacoma Rainiers
- Early Lead, Late Rally Not Enough Sunday - Oklahoma City Comets
- Chihuahuas Rally Repeatedly to Conquer Albuquerque in Slugfest - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Four Homers Catapult Aces to 15-2 Win over the Aviators - Reno Aces
- Whitcomb Grand Slam Not Enough to Pull Space Cowboys Back in Sunday Defeat - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Express Claim 8-6 Win to Close out Opening Weekend - Round Rock Express
- Triple-A Title Game Returns to Las Vegas Ballpark - Las Vegas Aviators
- March 31 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Oklahoma City Baseball Club - Tacoma Rainiers
- OKC Baseball Club Game Notes - March 31, 2024 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Oklahoma City Earns 9-7 Victory - Oklahoma City Comets
- Wisely Walks Cats to Victory In 2024 Season Opener - Sacramento River Cats
- Sacramento Gets Walkoff Win Over Bees On Opening Night - Salt Lake Bees
- Oklahoma City Evens Series - Tacoma Rainiers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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