Bollenbacher leads Rockets

LOUISVILLE — After struggling on the mound Thursday, the Portland Rockets needed stellar pitching in order to keep the season alive.
South Adams graduate Dan Bollenbacher made sure the Rockets survive another day.
The righthander  tossed a four-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory Friday over the Louisville Mustangs in the first elimination game of the National Amateur Baseball Federation regional tournament.
“Bollenbacher said he would come up big and he did,” said Rockets manager Randy Miller.
Bollenbacher struck out nine and walked one in the seven-inning game.
The Rockets broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Dylan Brammer.
An errant pickoff attempt on the next batter allowed Wright State graduate Zach Tanner to score to take a 2-0 lead.
Tanner gave the Rockets an insurance run in the sixth inning on his seventh home run of the season.
Portland advances to the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. today against the Cincinnai Chiefs.
Michael Caley will get the start for the Rockets on the hill.
“We are still the defending champions,” Miller said. “Although we are taking the rough road, we are still the little train saying ‘I think I can, I think I can.’”[[In-content Ad]]