Rockets split tourney pair (08/05/05)

CINCINNATI — Portland stayed alive Thursday thanks to a seventh-inning rally.

The Portland Rockets trailed 5-3 heading into the final inning of their first American Amateur Baseball Congress regional tournament game Thursday, but scored three times in the final frame for a 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Hilltoppers.

Facing a two-run deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh, Rocket veteran Adam Childs blasted a home run to get the comeback started. It was his third hit of the contest.

Jay County graduate Mitch Waters and Brandon Cooley followed with hits, and Phil Bruns drove them both in with his game-winning single.

The rally gave starter Jimmy Linder the win over the Hilltoppers (35-4). He pitched six scoreless innings after allowing all five Cincinnati runs in a first inning plagued by three errors.

The Rockets dropped their second game of the regional tournament 4-0 to the Canton Stallions (41-7). They managed just five hits, two from Kris Steffen, in the defeat.

Portland will play for its tournament life Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against either the Northwest Patriots or the Midland Braves.[[In-content Ad]]