Rockers Outlast Gastonia 12-11
July 2, 2021 - Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release
GASTONIA, N.C. - The High Point Rockers won a slugfest with the Gastonia Honey Hunters on Friday night, taking the first game of the three-game series by a final score of 12-11 at CaroMont Health Park.
The Rockers pounded out 14 hits including home runs by Michael Russell and Stuart Levy as second baseman J.R. DiSarcina drove in a career-high four RBI. The win marked the first time the Rockers had won consecutive games since posting wins over Lancaster on June 1 and 2.
Levy hit his sixth homer of the year, a two-run shot in the second and DiSarcina drove in a run with a sacrifice fly as the Rockers took a 4-0 lead.
Gastonia scored twice in the bottom of the second but High Point extended its lead to 5-2 in the third when James McOwen's sacrifice fly scored Jared Mitchell. The Rockers went up 7-4 with another pair of runs in the fourth. Russell hit a solo homer, his second of the year, and Mitchell drove in a run with an infield out.
Gastonia took an 8-7 lead with four runs in the fifth but High Point regained the advantage with four runs in the sixth for an 11-8 advantage. McOwen drove in a run with a double and DiSarcina drove in a pair of runs with a single. Gastonia added two runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it a one run game at 11-10.
DiSarcina picked up his fourth RBI of the night in the eighth on a single to center to score Levy and give the Rockers a two-run cushion at 12-10.
Josh Sale led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer off reliever John Fasola that cut High Point's advantage to 12-11. Fasola then retired Jesus Sucre, Will Johnson and Ermindo Escobar to earn his first save of the season.
Craig Stem (1-4) earned his first win of the year, pitching five innings and scattering nine hits while striking out one.
Stephen Cardullo's 14-game hitting streak came to an end Friday as he was hit by a pitch twice, drew a walk, grounded out and struck out once.
The Rockers and Honey Hunters will play game two of their three-game series on Saturday at 6:50 p.m. at CaroMont Health Park.
Atlantic League Stories from July 2, 2021
- Revs Drop Holiday Weekend Opener to Barnstormers - York Revolution
- De La Rosa, Clark Pace Lancaster Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Rockers Outlast Gastonia 12-11 - High Point Rockers
- Crabs Pitchers Combine for Three-Hit Shutout in Series Opener - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Blue Crabs Pinch Ducks in Pitcher's Duel - Long Island Ducks
- A Preview of the Upcoming Homestand - Charleston Dirty Birds
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.
