Rockets win again (08/12/06)

CINCINNATI - The Portland Rockets made last weekend's comeback count yet again.

The Rockets, down 8-0 and staring elimination in the face Aug. 5 before mounting a dramatic comeback, won again in the American Amateur Baseball Congress regional tournament Friday. Portland topped fellow Indiana entry Evansville 7-2, and will play the seven-time defending champion Canton Stallions (37-7) today at 10 a.m. South Adams High School graduate Matt Ousley is scheduled to start.

Led by an outstanding effort from Eric Van Matre on the mound. The Wapahani product had a two-hit shutout before Evansville finally got to him in the seventh inning.

He went the distance, striking out six and allowing just five hits.

Portland (29-12) got its first run on a sacrifice bunt by Lenny Koesters and continued to play small ball throughout. Phil Bruns finished with three hits, and Derek Lehrman had two hits and an RBI.

Friday's Rocket victory followed a 7-5 triumph for the team over the host Cincinnati Angels in its tournament opener Thursday afternoon.

Cincinnati had the early lead in that game thanks to a home run, but Portland posted three runs in the second inning and four more in the third. Todd Graves highlighted the big third inning with a two-run home run, Bruns had two hits and Nick Millspaugh drove in a pair of runs.

The Angels tried to rally, but Jay County graduate Mitch Waters held on for the save.

Portland is one of just two undefeated teams - Canton is the other - in the 10-team regional field. The regional champion moves on to the AABC World Series in Huntsville, Texas.[[In-content Ad]]