FL River City Rascals

Rascals Record 14 Hits and Complete the Sweep over Traverse City

Published on June 3, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


A solid start from lefty Jason Ziegler and six runs across the final three innings gave the River City Rascals a 7-2 win over the Traverse City Beach Bums Thursday night at Wuerful park. The victory gave River City (10-7) their second series sweep on the road and their third series win overall.

Trailing by a run after the sixth inning against Beach Bums starter Kramer Champlin, Mike Jurgella reached on an error the next Rascals offensive opportunity and Dominique Taylor followed that up with his first hit of the game, a double past the centerfielder Jeff DeBlieux.

Beach Bums manager Dan Rohn went to his bullpen and brought in righty Luke Barker to face the top of the order. He retired Rascals leadoff hitter Jason Merjano and then loaded the bases issuing an intentional walk to Jonny Morales. Barker then retired Silver and it was Josh Ludy's turn to try to avoid leaving two runners in scoring position. The third year Rascal ripped a two RBI single and the Rascals retook the lead and would hold it the rest of the game.

The offense added two more the following inning with a RBI double from Kyle Gaedele and a RBI single from Dominique Taylor. Taylor drove in one more in the ninth to cap off the seven run, fourteen hit night for the Rascals, their best offensive game of the series.

"We battled hard, their pitcher (Kramer Champlin) threw a no hitter earlier in the year. We got on him early and got the one run in the first," Gaedele said. "He pitched well from there on out and then when we got him out of the game we were able to score all of our runs.

Champlin took the loss, giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits and dropped his second game of the year. The righty threw a no-hitter back on May 20th against Joliet, and has allowed just six earned runs in 27 1/3 innings this season.

Lefty Jason Ziegler got the start for River City and tossed a dandy in his third appearance on the year. Ziegler allowed a single to Jose Vargas in the first but that was it early on as the first year Rascal retired the next eleven batters he faced. Ziegler allowed a walk to Nate Causey and then struck out the final two hitters in the fifth inning to keep the 2015 Frontier League Champion out of scoring position.

"I was really locating my fastball inside and outside and they kept hitting the ball on the ground which was huge since I have a good defense behind me," Ziegler said. "I think I'm getting the routine down in between starts . It took me a little while to get used to it and get the pitch count up. It feels good to be in a routine and get out there and help my team win"

The top of the order notched two extra base hits against the southpaw their next opportunity , including a RBI triple from Will Kengor and he was pulled at a 1-1 tie. Manager Steve Brook went to his veteran Nick Kennedy and he got the Beach Bums career RBI leader Jose Vargas to ground out for the second out. However, Brandon Thomasson notched a hit through the left side of the infield after that and the Beach Bums took their only lead of the contest.

Ziegler took a no decision, allowing those two runs on three hits and tallied three strikeouts in his longest outing of the season, 5 1/3 innings.

Michael Gunn recorded the last out of the sixth and hurled a scoreless seventh to get his first win of the year. Jared Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth with a strikeout and Zac Treece recorded the final three outs while striking out two.

Before the Beach Bums took the lead, they trailed for the first five innings. In the leadoff spot for the second game in a row, Jason Merjano laced a double down the third base line to open up the game and manager Steve Brook got the signs going early as he asked Johnny Morales to bunt Merjano to third. Morales laid it down and Merjano came into score after an error from Beach Bums shortstop Will Kengor. That gave the Rascals a 1-0 lead and they were unable to add any more runs until the three run seventh.

The Rascals continue their six game road trip Friday night against the Schaumburg Boomers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 with Josh Wright on the mound.

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Frontier League Stories from June 3, 2016


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