Rockers Earn 6-3 Win
Published on May 11, 2024 under Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release
HIGH POINT, N.C. - Ben Aklinski hit a bases loaded double in the fifth inning to break up a tied game as the High Point Rockers went on to post a 6-3 win over Southern Maryland on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 2,012 at Truist Point.
The Rockers had tied the game at 1-1 earlier in the inning when Zander Wiel led off with a solo homer, his fourth of the year, to pull the Rockers even.
The Blue Crabs jumped on top in the second inning off High Point starter Brandon Leibrandt (W, 2-0). The lefty allowed a single to Juan Kelly in the second before a routine bloop single to right turned into a two-base error, allowing Kelly to score from first with an unearned run.
After Wiel tied the game in the fifth, the Rockers' Brian Parreira was hit by a pitch, Ryan Grotjohn singled and Martin Figueroa drew a walk to load the bases. Aklinski's double was a hot grounder that hugged the left field line all the way into the corner. High Point led 4-1 after five.
Colin Moran's solo homer in the sixth put the Rocker up 5-1. It was his first homer in High Point after joining the team earlier in the week.
The Blue Crabs touch reliever Ryan Meisinger for a pair of runs in the eighth to make it a 5-3 game. Michael Wielansky drew a lead-off walk and Anthony Brocato homered, his third homer this week against High Point. But the Rockers got that run back in the ninth when newly signed Gregory White, a graduate of North Carolina A&T and Wesleyan Christian Academy, beat out an infield single then scored on a double by Moran.
Jameson McGrane set the Blue Crabs down in order in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Leibrandt (W, 2-0) went 5.1 innings and allowed just three hits while striking out eight. Zach Muckenhirn and Jacob Edwards each threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning before turning it over to McGrane.
"It was another great start by Leibrandt," said Rockers' manager Jamie Keefe. "He threw the ball exceptionally well again. Offensively, Benny's double was huge in a spot where we really needed it. And then it was really nice to see Colin starting to click. He's a big bat for us and if he can put it together consistently, that just adds another layer to our line-up.
Southern Maryland starter Daryl Thompson (0-3), the winningest pitcher in Atlantic League history with 97 wins, allowed six hits and all five runs in his six innings while striking out seven.
The series finale is set for a 4:05 p.m. start Sunday at Truist Point. As a Mother's Day special, all moms will be allowed free admission.
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