FL Joliet Slammers

Slammers Comeback Bid Comes up Short against Rockford

Published on June 18, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


Joliet, IL- The Joliet Slammers (11-19) put a pair scoring position in the bottom of the ninth inning, but failed to bring them across against the Rockford Aviators (20-9) on Thursday night, falling by a 3-1 final.

On a beautiful night for baseball the Slammers looked to avoid the sweep against the Rockford Aviators with Kevin McNorton making his first start of the year. McNorton escaped the first inning after allowing the game's leadoff hitter, CF Michael Hur, reach with a single. He allowed a run in the second, on a solo homer by DH Anthony Renteria. Renteria's third long ball of the year put Rockford up 1-0 after the frame.

After a quiet first four innings against starter Kyle Hassna, the Slammers made some noise in the fifth frame. With two outs, 2B Max Casper singled and moved to second on a Phil Bates base-knock. A line drive from 1B Nate Roberts went off the pitchers thigh, allowing all runners to reach base safely. With two outs and the bases loaded, C Jack Cleary hit a sharp ground ball that looked like it was heading towards center field. But 2B Connor Scczerba made a diving stop, throwing out Cleary to end the inning.

The Aviators took the lead in the sixth on a two-RBI double by 1B Devon Rodriguez. The Slammers got on the board in the bottom of the inning against Hassna. DH Russell Moldenhauer smacked one over the wall for his second homer of the year and fourteenth RBI. The long-ball trimmed the Aviators lead to 3-1.

Pitcher Michael Schaub came in to close things out for the Aviators. SS Alfredo Rodriguez walked with one out. LF Hunter Ridge followed with a single to right to put two aboard. Adam Giacalone pinch hit for Max Casper, bouncing out to the pitcher and moving the runners along. CF Phillip Bates had an opportunity to tie the game with a single but popped out to SS Tanner Witt for out number three.

In his first start of the year Kevin McNorton (2-1) took the loss. Aviators tarter Kyle Hassna earned the win. Pitcher David Kubiak tossed 2.2 scoreless innins in relief while reliever Sam Moore didn't allow a run in one inning of work.

Notes: Starter Kevin McNorton made his first start in two years with the Slammers... He has now only allowed four runs in his last 17.1 innings pitched... Casey Fletcher and Max Casper recorded their first multi-hit game of the year... The Slammers are now 1-14 against teams above .500... C Jack Cleary batted in the three spot for the first time this year...DH Russell Moldenhauer's solo homerun in the sixth broke a 14 inning scoreless drought...that run was the first given up by Aviators' starter Kyle Hassna in 12 IP... Slammers P Sam Moore made his first appearance since June 2 when he came in to pitch the ninth inning...The Slammers are back in action on Friday against the River City Rascals...The first pitch is at 7:05pmCT...You can join us after the game for some fun at Juliet's Italian Dining Sports Bar.

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Frontier League Stories from June 18, 2015


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