FL Joliet Slammers

Sikes Orvis Sends Slammers Away with a Win

Published on July 29, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET, IL- Sikes Orvis has not been with the Slammers for long, but in the last two days has led the Slammers to a pair of wins after Friday night's walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. The Joliet Slammers presented by ATI Physical Therapy came away with a 2-1 win over the River City Rascals, July 29.

River City rallied in the top of the ninth to tie the game at one run apiece, but a pair of singles from Melvin Rodriguez and Marc Flores set up Orvis to end the game for the Slammers.

Orvis drove in Flores from second, and after a little stumble rounding third, he just got in on the close play at home.

"I feel good," Orvis said. "I kind of got off to a slow start. I just stuck to my approach, stayed confident and had trust in what I know I can do and it's been paying off now."

This is the Slammers second walk-off in the last four games.

Neither team could find any offense through the first 6.5 innings, combing for only six hits before Orvis' solo home run. The Slammers were actually being no-hit through four innings.

Sean Townsley followed up Liam O'Sullivan's and Spencer Medick's performances with a shutdown performance of his own. Townsley pitched seven shut out innings to guide the Slammers to their fourth straight win to start nine-game home stand.

Townsley did not allow a run and only allowed three hits to the Rascals. He also struck out seven batters in the game.

River City loaded the bases in the ninth inning on Mitchell Osnowitz and scored their run off of Brent Choban on a sac fly. Choban was able to pitch out of it as the Alfredo Rodriguez and Carter Bell turned a game-saving double play.

Orvis may only have two home runs in his 12 games with the Slammers, but those two home runs have helped lead the Slammers to their last two wins.

In Thursday's series finale with the Evansville Otters, Orvis hit a two-run home run to break the 1-1 tie. The Slammers won the game 5-2.

Orvis' solo home run in Friday's contest gave the Slammers a 1-0 lead up until the ninth inning, but nonetheless paid a big part in the slow-moving and low-offensive game.

"In that (situation), no one on, you've got to get to a plus count," Orvis said. "I knew he was going to try to come with a fastball, so I just kind of cheated to it and got a good swing off."

After losing back-to-back games to the Florence Freedom one week ago, the Slammers have won five games in a row, including four in a row to start the home stand.

"On any team, I just got here, but it's good to play your best baseball towards the end and that's what were doing right now," Orvis said.

Friday's Merchants and Manufacturers Player of the Game is Sikes Orvis for his walk off single in the ninth inning.

The Slammers are back Saturday at 6:05 to take on the Rascals in game two of the series.

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Frontier League Stories from July 29, 2016


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