Hot Rods-Hilltoppers Exhibition Rained out in Fourth Inning
April 7, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Grant Kay of the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Western Kentucky
(Bowling Green Hot Rods, Credit: Joshua Lindsey)
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Bowling Green Hot Rods attempted to unofficially kick off their 2015 campaign with an exhibition game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, but the contest was cut short due to heavy rainfall with the Hot Rods leading 1-0.
In a game that was played under Minor League Baseball rules, both sides used wooden bats at the plate while both lineups featured a 10-man order, as each team used two designated hitters.
Western Kentucky's Anderson Miller led off the game with a single to centerfield off Hot Rods starter Enderson Franco and promptly stole second base. With one out, Ryan Church bounced a single to right field, but Bowling Green right fielder Justin Williams drilled a perfect strike to catcher Nick Ciuffo to nab Miller trying to score from second.
The Hot Rods did not have much better luck against Hilltopper starter Sam Higgs, recording their only hit of the game in the third inning on a leadoff double from Bralin Jackson, who scored later in the frame on a RBI groundout by Jace Conrad. Altogether, Higgs went three innings, walking one and fanning one.
After a leadoff walk to Riley Unroe in the bottom of the fourth, thunder and lightning forced the umpires to clear the field and the game was called after a 21-minute delay.
Franco settled down after his uneven first inning in working all four innings, retiring 10 of the final 11 batters he faced with the exception of a leadoff double to Miller in the fourth inning. The Venezuelan right-hander allowed three total hits while walking none and striking out two.
Fans who purchased tickets for the exhibition will be able to bring their ticket stub back to Bowling Green Ballpark in exchange for a ticket to another regular season game later this summer.
The 2015 Midwest League season begins for the Hot Rods on Thursday with an historic nine-game road trip with three separate stops, starting in South Bend, Ind. against the South Bend Cubs for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
After the road trip, Bowling Green hosts a nine-game homestand of its own kicking off the home slate against the Lake County Captains on Sat., April 18 at 6:05 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling 270-901-2121 or by visiting www.bghotrods.com.
Images from this story
 Grant Kay of the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Western Kentucky (Joshua Lindsey) |
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