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FL River City Rascals

Rascals Split Double-Header in Rockford

July 22, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


After barely avoiding a sweep in game three at Washington, River City took its squad south to play a four-game series in Rockford. Day one included a double-header, making up for the rainout earlier this season at T.R. Hughes Ballpark:

Game One:

In game one, Brook sent veteran, and newly acquired Rascal, Chase Doremus to the hill- thereby making his second start in a Raskies uniform. Countering the vet, Aviators' manager James Frisbie sent a right-hander of his own to the bump, Ryan Zimmerman.

In the top of the first, River City was able to load the bases on two base hits and a walk, but unfortunately, second-baseman Hector Crespo would groundout back to the pitcher to end the threat. In the bottom of the first, Doremus would then match his opponent by throwing a scoreless half-inning- facing the minimum three batters.

The top of the second would bring no better luck for the Rascals as they once again strand a runner on base. Doremus however, would show his prowess on the mound for a second straight inning as he retired three of five to keep the game scoreless after two at Aviators Stadium.

After another scoreless top of the third, Rockford finally broke out to a 1-0 lead on a two-out, solo-shot home run off the bat of second-baseman Tanner Witt- his second of the season. Then, in the bottom of the fourth, the Rockford offense would continue to build as three straight hits to start the inning drove in a run- courtesy of an RBI double by Tyger Pederson, making it 2-0 Aviators after four. Doremus would exit the game partway through the inning after making it through 3.0, allowing two earned-runs on eight hits while walking and striking out a batter. Kennedy was able to come in out of the pen and strand two runners aboard- which he inherited with no outs- to keep the deficit at two.

The score would then move to 3-0 heading into the final inning- following an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of catcher Mason Morioka- as closer Gerardo Sanchez came in to lock down his 13th save of 2014 and reign in an Aviator's victory in game one. The loss went to Rascals starter Chase Doremus with the win going to opposing starter Ryan Zimmerman.

Game Two:

In game two, following the loss in game one, manager Steve Brook sent rookie left-hander Tommy Organ to the mound to counter spot-starter Nick Grim. In the top of the first, Rascals hitters would once again be stifled by Rockford pitching as they were set down one-two-three. Organ would then take the bump in the bottom of the inning and retire three of four to keep the game scoreless after one.

Then, in the top of the second, River City would load the bases with two outs but fail to capitalize on the opportunity, as centerfielder Brian Hansen struck out to end the threat- moving the Rascals scoreless streak to 16.1 innings on the road-trip. A tense situation arose in the bottom of the second as a runner reached third-base with no outs, but lefty Tommy Organ struck out two and got a final groundout to end the inning without allowing the run to score.

The Raskies would then finally break their 17-inning scoreless streak at the plate on a humongous three-run home run with two outs in the top of the third, thanks to catcher Zach Kometani- making it 3-0 River City heading into the bottom of the third at Aviators Stadium. Organ then faced a direr situation in the bottom of the inning, as back-to-back hits put runners on second and third with no outs. However, Organ was able to get two popups and a groundout to escape yet another jam on the mound.

Nick Grim's night consequently came to an end after three innings in which he allowed three runs on two hits while walking three and striking out one. Organ's night would then come to an end shortly after that, as he exited partway through the bottom of the fourth after pitching 3.1 shutout innings while allowing only four hits and striking out four.

A scary moment occurred in the top of the sixth, as catcher Zach Kometani left the game after an apparent injury to his left arm. Then, in the top of the seventh, the league's leading home run hitter Josh Ludy did it again with a mammoth two-run shot over the leftfield fence- making it 5-0 River City heading into the bottom of the final inning in Rockford, Illinois. Gabriel Shaw then came in in the bottom of the inning to lock down the Rascals victory- although he did allow a two-run home run to centerfielder Michael Hur, leaving the final score at 5-2. A good effort by the Rascals bullpen, including a shutout inning-and-a-third from lefty Patrick Crider, helped River City hold on to the lead. The win therefore, went to reliever Nick Kennedy with the loss going to Rockford starter Nick Grim.

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