Rockets fall in extra innings

LOUISVILLE — If the Portland Rockets want to get back to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series, the path won’t be easy.
Six Portland pitchers surrendered 15 walks as the Rockets lost 11-10 in 12 innings to the Louisville Star Drywall in the opening round of the NABF regional tournament Thursday.
Portland (30-7-1) also lost its tournament opener last season before rallying to win three games in 18 hours to take the regional title.
Trailing 10-6 in the fifth inning, the Rockets tied the game thanks in part to a three-run home run by Justin Marrero. He ended the night with four hits, the same total as the entire Louisville team.
The score remained tied until the 12th inning, when Jay County High School graduate Mitch Waters gave up the winning run on a line drive with two runners on base.
Dylan Brammer and Waters gave the Rockets chances to win the game, holding Star Drywall for a combined six innings.
Brammer struck out eight of the 11 batters he faced and didn’t allow a base runner.
Waters added three scoreless innings before giving up the run in the 12th.
The Rockets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning, but starter Junior Santos was unable to record an out as Louisville took a 4-2 advantage.
Portland had runners on base in every inning but one, but also stranded 12 runners.
The Rockets will play the Louisville Mustangs in an elimination game at 8 p.m. tonight. South Adams graduate Dan Bollenbacher will take the mound for Portland.
A win would move the Rockets to the semifinal round at 10 a.m. Saturday.[[In-content Ad]]