Rockets fall in title game

The Rockets made the championship game in the Fort Wayne Fourth of July tournament for the second year, but weren’t able to defend the title, falling 8-1 to the Fort Wayne Jackers.
The Rockets’ pitching petered out in the final game of the tournament as the Jackers jumped on starter Tyler Holloway and reliever Tyler Reynolds for seven runs. Trevor Kill and Eathan Daggett closed the game strong for Portland, going the final five innings with only one run, but the offense couldn’t catch up.
The Rockets scattered five hits throughout the game and loaded the bases in the sixth inning, but were only able to squeeze their solitary run out of the inning.
Portland (18-9) started the tournament strong Friday with an 11-2 win over the Fort Wayne Cubs. Craig Martin led the Rockets from the hill while Nate Clem and Cody Campbell smacked three hits apiece  in the win.
In their second game, the Rockets fell in a squeaker to the Jackers, losing 3-2 after Brad Benbow gave up a bases-loaded walk on a full count.
In the semi-final game, Portland easily walked over the LaMagarita Blues on the back of starting pitching Dan Bollenbacher. Bollenbacher struck out eight batters while only surrendering one hit to the Blues.[[In-content Ad]]