July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Rockets rally to win title
FORT WAYNE — After dropping the first game of the tournament, the Portland Rockets fought off elimination to win four straight games en route to the championship crown at the Firecracker Classic in Fort Wayne.
Portland fought back to the championship after losing its tournament opener and needed to beat the Fort Wayne Jackers twice Sunday to take the tournament title. It did just that with a pair of 2-1 victories.
The Rockets also defeated the Fort Wayne Expos 2-1 after dropping their first game of the tournament 6-0 to the Jackers.
Portland (20-5), which has won 16 of its last 17, used its deep pitching staff to its advantage in the championship game after Junior Santos started and tossed four innings. Dan Bollenbacher, Quinton Smith, Mitch Waters and Dylan Brammer closed out the game for the Rockets in relief.
Sunday’s first game against the Jackers was knotted up at 1-1 in the final frame before the timely Portland offense came through with Waters scoring from third on Nick Hollowell’s ground out.
In Friday night’s tournament opener against the Jackers, the Rockets were held to one hit, losing 6-0 after giving up five runs in the ninth inning.
But for the rest of the tournament, Portland would continue with its old theme of dominant pitching, solid defense and clutch hitting.
Tyler Reynolds threw a two-hitter Saturday as the Rockets downed Harley Brandt 8-0 to start the momentum that would carry them to the championship game.
Portland would win its next three games, all 2-1 scores, including the pair Sunday against the Jackers to take the crown.
Michael Caley tossed a complete game, three-hitter in win Saturday against the Fort Wayne Expos and put the Rockets in contention for the championship. Shortstop Zach Tanner helped out Caley in the final frame, making a relay throw from Justin Marrero in the outfield to catcher Travis Gray at the plate to nab the potential tying run for the Expos.
Waters led the Rockets’ offense over the five-game tournament with six hits. Tanner added five hits and Logan Hug had four. In addition to his throw from the outfield on Saturday, Marrero added key RBI doubles to help the Portland offense.[[In-content Ad]]
Portland fought back to the championship after losing its tournament opener and needed to beat the Fort Wayne Jackers twice Sunday to take the tournament title. It did just that with a pair of 2-1 victories.
The Rockets also defeated the Fort Wayne Expos 2-1 after dropping their first game of the tournament 6-0 to the Jackers.
Portland (20-5), which has won 16 of its last 17, used its deep pitching staff to its advantage in the championship game after Junior Santos started and tossed four innings. Dan Bollenbacher, Quinton Smith, Mitch Waters and Dylan Brammer closed out the game for the Rockets in relief.
Sunday’s first game against the Jackers was knotted up at 1-1 in the final frame before the timely Portland offense came through with Waters scoring from third on Nick Hollowell’s ground out.
In Friday night’s tournament opener against the Jackers, the Rockets were held to one hit, losing 6-0 after giving up five runs in the ninth inning.
But for the rest of the tournament, Portland would continue with its old theme of dominant pitching, solid defense and clutch hitting.
Tyler Reynolds threw a two-hitter Saturday as the Rockets downed Harley Brandt 8-0 to start the momentum that would carry them to the championship game.
Portland would win its next three games, all 2-1 scores, including the pair Sunday against the Jackers to take the crown.
Michael Caley tossed a complete game, three-hitter in win Saturday against the Fort Wayne Expos and put the Rockets in contention for the championship. Shortstop Zach Tanner helped out Caley in the final frame, making a relay throw from Justin Marrero in the outfield to catcher Travis Gray at the plate to nab the potential tying run for the Expos.
Waters led the Rockets’ offense over the five-game tournament with six hits. Tanner added five hits and Logan Hug had four. In addition to his throw from the outfield on Saturday, Marrero added key RBI doubles to help the Portland offense.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD