FL River City Rascals

Rascals slam four home runs in 10-4 victory

Published on July 18, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'FALLON, MO - River City finally solved Midwest, slamming four home runs in a 10-4 victory Saturday night at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. Chris Colton blasted two long balls as the Rascals defeated the Sliders for the first time in five attempts.

The Rascals (31-18) plated three in the first inning after the Sliders took a brief 1-0 lead. Scott Houin walked, stole second and advanced to third on a Ben Barrone passed ball. Chad Maddox collected his first of four RBI on the night with a groundout to short. After a Scott Robinson ground rule double, Colton belted a two-run homer to left field to give the Rascals a 3-1 lead.

The round tripper wasn't without controversy as left fielder, Jonnie Knoble, claimed the ball did not leave the ballpark. The umpires conferred and ruled the ball went into the stands and back into the field of play for Colton's ninth home run.

The Sliders (23-25) didn't go away, tying the game with solo tallies in the second and third innings. Knoble knocked in a run in the second on a groundout and Baker followed the next frame with a solo blast off Jake Laber (7-2).

Laber wouldn't allow another run all night, striking out the final three hitters he faced in the sixth. Baker walked and Robbie Knapp singled with both runners moving up on a Laber throwing error. With runners at second and third with nobody out, the southpaw struck out Sam DeLuca, Gilberto Zayas and Clay McCord in order to keep it a 3-3 game.

River City responded in the bottom half off James Albury (6-2). Houin led off with a walk, JoJo Batten singled and Maddox followed with a three run bomb to left center to bounce Albury from the game. Robinson rudely welcomed P.J. Zocchi, launching the first pitch into the Rascals bullpen in right center for a 7-3 lead.

The Rascals tacked on three more insurance runs late, including Colton's second home run of the night in the eighth inning.

Laber improved to 7-2 with six solid innings, allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts to only one walk.

Albury lost for the first time in six starts, surrendering six runs on five hits in five plus innings of work.

Colton and Robinson each had two hits with Maddox driving in a team high four runs. The Rascals 3-4-5 hitters combined to go 5-12 with four home runs, eight runs batted in and five runs scored.

The rubber match of the series is tomorrow night at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. It also marks the final regular season meeting between the two teams. Daniel Howard (3-3) takes the bump against Kyle Kearcher (1-6). First pitch is at 6:01 p.m.

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

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



Frontier League Stories from July 18, 2009


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