Rockets 8-1 after weekend (06/06/05)

PORTLAND — The Portland Rockets took their first loss of the season Saturday, and it was still a good weekend.

The Rockets won their other three games to improve to 8-1 on the season as they played home double-headers Saturday and Sunday. They lost the opener Saturday to the Ohio Woodpeckers 17-9, but came back to win game two 6-1. On Sunday they opened play in the Fort Wayne League, sweeping LaMargarita Blues 5-4 and 11-3.

Josh Black led the Portland victory in the second game against the Woodpeckers, going the distance and striking out six batters. Matt Gard hit a three-run homer Saturday, and Phil Bruns had a pair of hits.

Corey Ross keyed a Rocket rally in the seventh inning of game one against LaMargarita. He hit a two-out single, bringing Ryan Rammel and Jay County graduate Mitch Waters to the plate with the tying and winning runs. Phil Ernst picked up the win in relief of Matt Ousley.

Kris Steffen and Luke Jones each hit home runs in the big game-two win. Mike Linder improved to 2-0 with the victory.

Ohio tops Cardinals

GENEVA — The Ohio Woodpeckers defeated the other local amateur team Friday night, doubling up the Geneva Cardinals 14-7.

Geneva (1-4) led 5-3 after four innings, but the Woodpeckers scored six times in the fifth to take control. Bryan Rumple allowed 10 runs — seven earned — in six innings to take the loss.

Kyle Snyder paced the offense, going 3-for-3 with a double, and Troy Hirschy finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs. Billy Craig hit his first home run of the season.[[In-content Ad]]