Rockets go 3-0 in pool play

CINCINNATI - The Rockets are back on track.

Portland's amateur baseball team suffered back-to-back losses to drop out as host of the World Baseball Congress Tournament a week ago, but it has bounced back. Local graduates played big roles for the Rockets Friday as they scored a couple of one-run wins in the National Amateur Baseball Congress Tournament - 2-1 over the Louisville River Rats and 3-2 over Detroit Jet Box.

The victories gave Portland (34-12) a perfect record in pool play. It advances to the semifinal round of the tournament today at 1 p.m.

Jay County High School graduate Heath Williams drove in what proved to be the winning run as his single scores Bryan Brudi in the fifth inning. Jensen Painter drove in the other two Rocket runs with a double in the third inning.

Daniel Bollenbacher, a South Adams High School graduate, played a key role as he earned the save in 1 2/3 innings of work. Detroit (35-12) loaded the bases against him with two outs in the seventh inning, but he got out of the jam.

Josh Atkinson (JCHS) got the win, allowing one run on five hits in three innings. Tyler Mills tossed 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Portland, which opened tournament play by defeating Yorkville Thursday, also ended its first game Friday in dramatic, bases-loaded fashion. Josh Ludy (JCHS) drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Painter had the other RBI for the Rockets in the first inning. He drove in Cameron Branock with a two-out single.

The Olney College product also got the win, needing just 88 pitchers and less than two hours to finish off Louisville. Painter tossed a 3-hitter, retiring 17 of the final 19 batters he faced.[[In-content Ad]]