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Northwoods Rockford Rivets

Rivets Shut Out Bullfrogs in Final Eight Innings for 4-1 Win

June 24, 2018 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rockford Rivets News Release


Green Bay, Wis. - The Rockford Rivets (14-11) quickly fell behind to the Green Bay Bullfrogs (9-16) with no outs in the bottom of the first, but the pitching and defense was able to get the next 27 outs without allowing another run in a 4-1 victory on Saturday night in Joannes Stadium.

Jake Munoz, the leadoff batter for the Bullfrogs, got on with a single to start the game. A few pitches later, Blaise Maris drove him home on a double to put the pressure on Rivets' ace Cole Bellair down 1-0 early. But after those initial two hits, Bellair would only allow three in the next six innings of work, also striking out six batters in that time.

"Every time [Bellair] goes out there, we expect him to be in the strike zone more than anybody in this league," Manager Brian Smith said, "He's really been a leader for this team on and off the field, and I'm just so happy every time he comes out here and does something like this."

Jimmy Burnette and Nolan Gazouski teamed up to throw the final three innings of relief for the Rivets and in that time only allowed one hit and struck out three Bullfrogs. Catcher Brock Mathis also shined behind the plate catching one Bullfrog stealing and picking off another with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

At the plate, Justin Walker was the backbone of the offense. After Pat Loeffler scored on a wild pitch to even the score at one in the top of the third, Walker drove home Hal Hughes and Mason Templet on a clutch two-out two-RBI single to left field.

"I was just looking to put something in play and hopefully it would fall as a hit," Walker said of the single, "I didn't really hit it too hard, but it fell as a hit and it got two runs in and it helped out the team, so I was happy about it."

Walker would tack on some insurance in the top of the eight when another clutch hit would find its way to center field and score Ryan Cole.

The Rivets get a crack at the sweep tomorrow against the Bullfrogs in some Sunday matinee action. Fittingly, Rockford leads the season series 4-1. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM at Joannes Stadium.



Northwoods League Stories from June 24, 2018


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