Rockets hitless in 10-0 loss

COLDWATER, Ohio — It made no difference who the Mariners put on the mound.

The Rockets weren’t able to find a hole in their defense.

And Portland made its pitchers have to work that much harder.

Six players combined to toss a no hitter and the Portland Rockets’ defense committed five errors in a 10-0 loss to the Grand Lake Mariners on Tuesday at Memorial Park’s Veteran’s Field.

“We have to get a hit,” said Portland Rockets manager Randy Miller, whose team dipped to 2-1 after the first of a three-game set against the Mariners. The Rockets travel to Celina for a 7 p.m. start today, and host the Mariners on Thursday at 7 p.m.

“Ten-nothing score sounds like a whitewashing and that’s what it was,” Miller added. “But we were in the game for the most part.”

Portland had a tough time catching up to the speed of Tyler Hankins, who was the Mid-American Conference freshman pitcher of the year for Central Michigan. He struck out the first two batters he faced, and induced three pop outs and one groundout.

“It was nice to see him in person and see what he can do,” said Grand Lake manager Chris O’Neill.

Sam Rice was next, and he faced the minimum in the third inning despite one batter being hit by a pitch and another reaching on an error. Coldwater native Kyle McKibben, playing on his high school field, got picked off at second and his high school teammate Aaron Harlamert grounded into a double play for Portland.

Portland left runners on first and second an inning later too.

Stephen Morrison was the third Grand Lake pitcher, and he struck out three of the six batters he faced in two innings.

Portland’s best chance to score was in the seventh off Andrew Niksich. Zack Tanner drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a pop out and a strikeout, Tristen Becker walked and McKibben got drilled in the back to load the bases. Niksich fell behind Chris Miller 3-0, but battled back and got the Portland first baseman to fly out to right to end the threat.

“Chris Miller had a great at bat but he challenged,” said Randy Miller (no relation).

Nick Newton and Alec Whaley were perfect in the eighth and ninth innings for Grand Lake.

“So excited about the arms we have,” O’Neill said. “Niksich struggled a little bit but he’s got a real live arm. If we just hone that in I think we’ll have some really good success with him.”

Portland’s defense committed five errors, which led to only four earned runs. Grand Lake took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and tacked on three more in the fourth. A misplayed ball in the outfield made it 2-0 before an RBI double from Bryan Chilton pushed it to 3-0 and a throwing error allowed the other run to score.

Coldwater native Derek Thobe took the loss for the Rockets. He allowed four runs — one earned — on four hits while striking out a pair and walking one in four innings.

Two singles, a pair of hit batsmen, consecutive bases-loaded, walks and three Rocket errors were the recipe for five Grand Lake runs in the sixth inning as the Mariners sent 11 batters to the plate.

“When you get those extra outs (they’re) always big,” O’Neill said. “When you get them, it is important to capitalize on that. Our guys were confident today and it helps when you get those extra outs.”

While Grand Lake, which is made up entirely of current college players, is in midseason form, the Rockets — made up of mostly former college athletes — have some rust to shake off.

“I don’t think that’s going to be our mojo for the time being,” Miller said. “It is defensive rhythm. They have to get their legs under them.”