Rockets crush Marian (07/17/03)

The Portland Rockets only scored in two of Wednesday’s nine innings against the Marian College Knights. But they were two big innings.

A four-run first inning and a nine-run third aided a 16-strikeout effort by the pitching staff as Portland hammered Marian 13-0.

Each of the Rockets’ first five batters reached base, with Josh Mayfield getting on after an error and Matthew Curtis following with a single. A walk by Adam Childs loaded the bases, and Mayfield scored on a wild pitch.

Ryan Rammel brought the other two Portland players in with a two-run double to left-center, and then scored himself on a double from James Nowicki.

The Rockets (23-3) rested an inning before blasting off again, starting the nine-run third with a Nowicki walk. Brandon Dillon followed with a double, and would eventually end the scoring by zipping a two-run home run over the fence in straight away center field.

Dillon finished 2-for-5, with two runs and two RBIs, all of which came in the third inning. Rammel went 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs before leaving the game after the third inning.

Nowicki and Curtis each finished with three hits, two runs and one RBI.

Pete Byrum earned the win, tossing the first three innings of scoreless ball and striking out three.

Mike Hale went three hitless innings, striking out the first eight batters he faced.

Portland will visit the Coldwater Moons tonight at 6:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]