Rockets ousted in 10

FORT WAYNE — The Portland Rockets lost just twice in the month of July. Two quick defeats in August ended their year.
After splitting its first two games in the National Amateur Baseball Federation Major Division Regional Tournament Friday, a two-run, walk-off home run by the Pontiac Parkers handed Portland a 7-6, 10-inning loss to end its season.
In other tournament action, the Rockets lost 3-0 to LaMargarita and defeated the Decatur Dirty Birds 6-3.
With its tournament life on the line Saturday, Portland built a 5-2 lead over Pontiac before giving up three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Parkers forced extras. The score remained tied until Devin Wilburn drew a bases-loaded walk to push the Rockets ahead in the top of the 10th.
However, Wilburn surrendered his first home run of the year in the bottom of the frame as the Parkers sent Portland packing.
The Rockets’ seventh win of the season over Decatur came thanks in part to a home run by Dalton Tinsely and a two-run double from Ben Smith. They had just three hits in the loss to LaMargarita.
Smith led the Rockets on the weekend, finishing 6-of-12 with five RBIs and his 11th home year of the season.

Nichols places 2nd
MONTPELIER — Travis Nichols was the top local driver in Saturday’s action at Montpelier Motor Speedway.
Nichols, of Portland, turned in a runner-up finish in the Thunder Cars A Main race behind Marion’s Jason Shrout. He now holds a slim lead over Shrout — 1,455-1,437 — in the Thunder Cars season points standings.
Trailing Nichols in the Thunder Cars event Saturday were Jeff Baldauf, Brian Baldauf and Steve Mills, all of Portland, in fifth, sixth and 11th respectively.
Jeff Baldauf also finished fourth in the Super Streets A Main race, with Richard Williams of Portland eighth and Jamie Heiser of Fort Recovery ninth. Doug St. Myers of Redkey was 12th in the UMP Modifieds A Main race.

Cope, Simmons win
Dylan Cope and Katie Simmons were the top runners July 23 in Jay Community Center’s inaugural Dave Miller 5K Memorial Run.
Cope’s time of 19 minutes, 16 seconds was nearly a minute faster than anyone else in the field of 187 runners. Simmons finished first among females and third overall in 20:25.
Other division winners were Olivia VonGunten, Michael Denney, Amanda Johnson, Donald Michael, Danette VonGunten, Duane Monroe, Michele Miller, Steve Hendricks, Sandy Hoening and Doug Johnson.[[In-content Ad]]