FL River City Rascals

Rascals Rally for Win

Published on June 12, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO--The River City Rascals were able to snap their three game losing streak to the Southern Illinois Miners Tuesday night, scoring three runs in the eighth to win 8-6.

The game looked earily similar to the last two games the Rascals lost. The Miners scored three in the seventh and one in the eighth to take a 6-5 lead. The 3-run eighth changed the Rascals' fortunes however, with the winning RBI's coming from new center fielder Ryan Czyz.

After the game, Czyz was all smiles.

"I can't believe it," said Czyz. "It's a dream come true. I've been to T.R. Hughes many times before to watch a ball game but to get the game winning hit as a player is pretty special."

For the first time in the series the Rascals were able to take an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. Czyz led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and then proceeded to steal second. Shortstop Brad Hough drove him home with an RBI single to score the first run. Two outs later left fielder Trey Hendricks drove in Hough with an RBI single of his own.

The Rascals added to their lead in the second, scoring three more runs to push the lead to 5-0. After third baseman Angel Colon struck out to start the inning, catcher Andrew Sweet singled and stole second, followed by a walk from the new second baseman Jeff Landry. Czyz was able to drive in his first run with an RBI single followed by an RBI double from Hough. Left fielder Phil Laurent drove in the last run with a sacrifice fly to right.

After that, the Rascals' bats fell silent and the Miners began their comeback.

They scored two in the second with an RBI single from third baseman Chris Hall scoring catcher Rob Wirth and first baseman Tim Dorn scoring on a wild pitch after hitting a double.

The Miners were able to tie the game in the seventh when they scored three runs on four hits. Second baseman Ralph Santana led off the inning with a double and was driven in with a one-out RBI single from Wirth. The big blast came a batter later when Dorn hit his fourth homerun of the series, this one a two-run blast, to tie the game at five.

The Miners would take the lead in the top of the eighth, as Santana came around to score without the benefit of a hit. After drawing a lead off walk, Santana took second on a throwing error from Rascals pitcher Luke O'Loughlin. He moved up to third on a wild pitch and then scored on the ground out by Wirth. Rascals' Manager Toby Rumfield was ejected from the game after the play when arguing that the ground ball from Wirth was foul.

The Rascals responded to their managers' ejection by scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth to retake the lead.

After a leadoff lineout by Laurent, Hendricks hit a double to put a runner on second with one out. Designated Hitter Anthony Albano then popped out to third for the second out. A walk from Colon and a infield single from Sweet loaded the bases with two out for Landry who was then hit by a pitch to bring in the tying run. Czyz then hit a 2-RBI double that landed just fair down the left field line to give the Rascals a 8-6 lead.

Mike Benacka came in to the ninth and struck out the side to record his third save of the year.

Richard Hummel (2-0) picked up the victory for the Rascals after throwing .2 innings and giving up no runs and no hits while walking one and striking out one. Brian Logan (1-1) received the loss after pitching .2 innings allowing two runs on two hits while walking one.

The win improves the Rascals' record to 8-12 and drops the Miners to 8-12.

The Rascals are on the road in Kalamazoo tomorrow for their first non-divisional game of the year. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 pm eastern time.

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Frontier League Stories from June 12, 2007


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