FL River City Rascals

Rascals Offense Explodes in Series Opener Win

Published on June 27, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO - The Rascals (21-14) set a season-high in runs with a 16-3 victory over the Frontier Greys (16-19) on Friday, June 16 at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. The Rascals' 13-run win is their largest margin of victory this season.

RHP Joe Scanio (W, 5-3) entered the game in relief in the third inning. Scanio, whose start was rained out on Thursday, allowed just two baserunners, a pair of singles, over 6.1 innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter, finishing the game for the Rascals. He leads the team with five wins this season. Scanio relieved starter RHP Clint Wright, who received a no-decision. Wright made his first start since he was placed on the injured reserved list following his start on May 21 at Normal. He ceded one run in each of the first three innings in his first game on the mound in over a month. He punched out two batters and did not allow a base on balls.

Frontier took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. On the first pitch of the game, Brandon Tierney hit a triple to centerfield past CF Curran Redal, who slipped in the wet outfield grass. Zach Tanner then hit an RBI groundout on the next pitch.

Shane Brown led off the second inning with a single and stolen base. Following a pair of strikeouts, he scored on a two-out single by Francisco Rosario.

The Rascals responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. 2B Hector Crespo walked, stole second, and advanced to third base on a throwing error. RF Jackson Slaid hit a two-out RBI single, and SS Johnny Morales doubled. Redal then scored both Slaid and Morales on a single.

The Greys tied the game 3-3 in the third inning. Tanner hit a lead off single, and with two outs, a pitch grazed Dillon Haupt, putting men at first and second. Brown followed with a double down the left field line, bringing home Tanner.

In the bottom of the fourth frame, 1B Zach Kometani doubled, and Slaid walked. After a successful double steal, Morales hit an RBI groundout that scored Kometani.

C Josh Ludy singled in the fifth inning. 3B Taylor Ard then hit a two-run homerun, extending his streak to three straight games with a homer. Earlier this season, Ard hit a homerun in five straight games from June 2 to June 6.

The Rascals sent 10 men to the plate and scored six runs in the sixth inning. Slaid singled, and Morales was hit by a pitch with one out. Redal hit an RBI double, and then LF Brian Hansen walked to load the bases. With two outs, DH Danny Canela hit a two-run single; he now leads the team with 31 RBI. Following a wild pitch that allowed Hansen to score from third, Ard hit his second two-run homer of the night. He now has four homeruns in his last three games and leads the team with 10 longballs in 2015.

The Rascals lineup scored four more run in the eighth inning against Ben Lodge, the starting centerfielder who took the mound. Ludy and Canela hit singles with one out. Ard and Crespo then hit back-to-back RBI doubles. Slaid collected an RBI on a two-out single, and Morales capped the rally with a run-scoring double.

Frontier starter Andrew Wellwerts (L, 1-1) surrendered four runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks. He lasted 4.0 innings in his first start of the season. Kyle Bogese allowed eight runs and six hits in 1.2 innings.

All nine Rascals starters collected a base hit, totaling 18 knocks. Seven batters had multiple hits, including Ard and Slaid, who each had three base hits. Six men had an RBI, five drove in multiple runs, and Ard led the way with five RBI.

The Rascals and Frontier Greys play the second of this three-game set on Saturday, June 27 at T.R. Hughes Ballpark at 6:35 p.m. CDT.

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Frontier League Stories from June 27, 2015


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.

OurSports Central