Rockets split weekend (07/09/07)

The Portland Rockets pulled within a game of double-digit wins this weekend, splitting double-headers against the Warsaw Indians and Lafayette Lumberjacks.

Portland scored 11 runs in each of its victories, topping Lafayette 11-9 in the first game at home Sunday and defeating host Warsaw 11-2 in Saturday's second game. The defeats came by scores of 9-8 to Lafayette and 1-0 to Warsaw.

The 11-run games each came by the way of 14 hits, with Sunday's effort helping Jay County High School graduate Mitch Waters earn the victory. He tossed all seven innings, giving up nine runs on nine hits for the win.

Ryan Schmidt powered the offense for the Rockets, who took a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. He finished the contest with three hits.

The Lumberjacks pulled even in the fourth inning, but Portland pushed back to an 8-6 lead en route to the two-run win. South Adams graduate Jordan Steiner picked up two hits, as did Corey Waldrath.

Joe Mack led the 14-hit effort against Warsaw with three hits in the five-inning win. Chad Casey earned the victory, giving up just two runs on three hits.

Portland, which has improved to 9-14 after an 0-10 start, had near misses in the other two contests.

Sunday in Portland the Rockets trailed 9-3 with just one inning to play, but had seven consecutive batters reach base safely with one out. They closed to within 9-8 before Lafayette got the final two outs to survive for the win.

Brian Corte was 3-for-3 in the defeat, and Waters and Heath Williams (both of Jay County) each added two hits. Ryan Schmidt allowed eight runs on six hits for the loss, and Josh Atkinson (Jay County) gave up a run on two hits in an inning of relief.

Saturday's opening game was a scoreless tie through five innings before Warsaw got the only big hit of the game. The Indians tagged Portland starter Garret Wiejak with a solo home run for the lone tally of the game.

Wiejak suffered his first loss as a Rocket, although he allowed just four hits. Portland had five hits, included two from Heath Williams, and stranded 11 runners.[[In-content Ad]]