Rockets draw hosts in regional

LOUISVILLE — If a 30-6-1 record seemed at all easy, the Portland Rockets have their work cut out in Louisville.
The Rockets play host Louisville Star Drywall (16-2) at 8 p.m. tonight in the opening round of the National Amateur Baseball Federation regional tournament.
“Playing the host team is a dangerous thing,” Rockets’ manager Randy Miller said. “They’re expecting to win. We play the nightcap and they have the biggest crowd.”
The six-team tournament includes Star Drywall and the Mustangs from Louisville, the Chiefs and Cobalts from Cincinnati, the Lexington (Ky.) Blue Grass Bombers and the Rockets.
“It’s wide open,” Miller said. “We don’t know how good this Louisville Star Drywall is, but they are the darlings of Louisville.”
Portland has played both teams from Cincinnati in the past.
The Rockets lost to the Chiefs in the opening round of last season’s NABF tournament in Cincinnati before coming back to beat them twice to win the regional title and earn their first World Series berth. Portland split with the Cobalts last season.
Junior Santos will take the hill in the opener for the Rockets in the double-elimination tournament, and South Adams High School graduate Dan Bollenbacher will pitch game two.
If the Rockets win tonight, they play in the second round at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. If Portland loses, game two is at 8 p.m. Friday.
Miller said his team is tournament tested after its appearance in the NABF World Series last year.
“There is going to be adversity and obstacles,” he said. “I think we’ll just lay it out between the white lines and see how we stand.”[[In-content Ad]]