Rockets open 2014 campaign today

For the 53rd time, semi-professional baseball returns to Portland.
The Portland Rockets open their 2014 campaign at 1 p.m. today with a doubleheader against the Fort Wayne Jackers at Runkle-Miller Field at Portland Memorial Park.
Portland will also host the Fort Wayne Marlins for two at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Rockets, who were semifinalists in the National Amateur Baseball Federation regional tournament in Louisville last season, are looking to build on their recent postseason success, which included a berth in the 2012 NABF World Series.
Led by manager Randy Miller, Portland, which finished 33-8 a year ago, returns a core of a dozen players who were crucial to the Rockets winning the Carrington League, Fourth of July Firecracker Classic and World Baseball Congress tournaments.
Justin Marerro returns for his fifth year with the Rockets. The infielder from Columbus, Ohio, led the Rockets with nine hits, including three home runs, and nine RBIs in the Louisville regional last summer. Logan Hug and Thomas McCowan return to join Marerro in the infield.
Dalton Tinsley returns to anchor the outfield, which includes Justin Miller, who can also pitch. Geoff Blowers and Chris Miller will share duties behind the plate.
The Portland pitching staff returns two local athletes in Mitch Waters and Dan Bollenbacher. Waters, a 2002 Jay County High School graduate and Bollenbacher, who graduated in 2008 from South Adams, were catalysts in the Rockets’ tournament runs in previous years.
They will be joined by lefthander and Muncie Southside graduate Tyler Reynolds, Cowan graduate Alex Delk and Norwell graduate Travis Gray.
Hartford City residents Evan Van Gordon (pitcher) and Walker Strait (shortstop) lead a quartet of Portland rookies. Kokomo’s Connor Milligan will see time on the bump, and Cody Crumlauf will join Blowers and Chris Miller behind the plate.[[In-content Ad]]