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FL Joliet Slammers

Slammers Strike Early, Rockford Comes Back to Win

May 27, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


Rockford, IL - After some early fireworks, the Joliet Slammers (6-5) bats went quiet against the Rockford Aviators (10-1) in their 4-2 loss.

The Slammers struck first against Rockford's ace, Kyle Bruggemann. In the top of the first inning, CF Charlie White reached when RF Dusty Robinson dropped his pop up to right field. Two batters later, 1B Chris Serritella cranked a line-drive home run over the right field fence to score White, putting Joliet up 2-1. 3B Mike Garza and RF Phil Bates both singled in the frame, but were stranded on the base paths.

Rockford responded with a run in the bottom of the first inning against hurler Aaron Vaugh. SS Brian Bistagne reached with a one out single and was driven in by RF Dusty Robinson on a two out double. With Robinson on second, DH Devon Rodriguez hit a line drive towards the outfield that looked like it would drop for a single. But White got a great jump on the baseball and made a sprawled out, diving catch to preserve the Slammers 2-1 advantage.

Both teams struggled to produce runs over the next four innings. Solid defense aided Vaughn, as the Joliet infield turned a double play in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Rockford finally broke through in the sixth. With two outs Rodriguez singled and Greg Valazquez blasted a two-run homer over the centerfield fence. Vaughn would escape the inning, forcing 3B Elijah Trail to ground out.

The Slammers put the leadoff runners on in the seventh and eighth frames, but failed to score. The Aviators pushed across an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. A pair of singles put two runners on against pitcher Kevin McNorton before Valazquez crushed a ball off the centerfield wall, scoring one and giving the Aviators a 4-2 advantage.

The Slammers went down quietly in the ninth inning, falling to Rockford 4-2. The loss snapped the Slammers six-game winning streak. Despite a solid outing. Vaughn (0-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks while fanning two in six innings. Kevin McNorton tossed two frames, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out a pair. The Aviators Kyle Bruggeman (3-0) earned the win. Charlie White is the Slammers Merchants and Manufacturers Bank Player of the Game. Brett DeVall will throw in the rubber match between the Slammers and Aviators, which takes place at 6:35pm on Thursday.

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