RiverHawks Sweep Doubleheader
Published on August 11, 2010 under Northern League (NL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
Two milestone home runs led the Rockford RiverHawks to a doubleheader sweep of the Joliet Jackhammers on Tuesday.
Veteran Rich Austin hit his 100th career home run in the opener as the RiverHawks beat the Jackhammers, 7-1. In the nightcap, rookie Bud Long hit his first homer, a two-out walkoff shot to left field in the seventh inning, as the RiverHawks rallied to win, 4-3. Long's blow is the first walkoff home run in the five-year history of Road Ranger Stadium.
Kyle Wright pitched a complete-game victory in the opener, in front of a near-sellout crowd of 2,634.
The RiverHawks, who have won six in a row, are just a game out of a Northern League playoff spot. Gary won, 7-3, at Winnipeg, to break a tie for fourth and leap past Joliet for third. Winnipeg and Joliet are tied for the fourth and final seed.
In the opener, Wright (6-2) scattered seven hits and struck out two without a walk. He held the Jackhammers to a two-out RBI single by Roberto Mena in the second inning.
In the bottom of the second, Rockford rallied for five two-out runs. Jono Brooks doubled in two and scored on a Jon Wagle single. Wagle stole second base and scored on Austin's fifth homer of the year, a two-run shot to left. The RiverHawks added two runs in the third, one on Travis Scott's fourth homer and one on a two-out RBI single by Brooks.
Joliet starter Rory Shortell (2-6) gave up nine hits in four innings and took the loss.
In the nightcap, the RiverHawks took a 3-1 lead on Pat O'Sullivan's two-out, two-run double in the third inning. The Jackhammers rallied in the seventh inning on a RBI single by Freddie Thon and a RBI double by Brad Correll to tie the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, Joliet reliever William Jackel (5-2) struck out Austin and Jason James. Long, a rookie with one previous pro at-bat, had replaced O'Sullivan in right field and in the cleanup spot in the sixth inning. On Jackel's 1-0 pitch, Long hit a towering drive beyond the fence in left.
Rockford closer Scott Roehl (4-1), who blew the save opportunity in the top of the seventh, won in relief.
The RiverHawks' six-game win streak is their longest since a six-game streak July 7-12, 2009.
The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. It's Rock River Valley Blood Center "Straight From the Heart" Wednesday. Fans can donate blood at any area RRVBC location and receive a voucher good for any remaining Wednesday regular-season home game.
The RiverHawks are members of the Northern League, an eight-team independent professional baseball league in its 18th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Games are broadcast live on ESPN 1380 (WTJK-AM) and on ESPN1380.com. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhaks.com.
Northern League Stories from August 11, 2010
- Kansas City Routs RedHawks, Regains Share of First Place - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Team Record 25 Hits Propel T-Bones to 19-7 Win - Kansas City Monarchs
- RailCats Blast Goldeyes Again, Win Sixth Straight - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Goldeyes Fall at Home to Gary - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Streaking RiverHawks win in front of sellout crowd - Rockford RiverHawks
- Quijano Tosses One-Hit Shutout - Schaumburg Flyers
- Goldeyes Assign Forshee to Inactive List - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Join Forces to Give Back to Veterans - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RiverHawks Sweep Twin Bill From JackHammers - Joliet JackHammers
- RailCats Win Fifth Straight, Storm Past Goldeyes 7-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RiverHawks Sweep Doubleheader - Rockford RiverHawks
- Goldeyes Lose 7-3 To The RailCats - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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