Rockets seek redemption as season begins today

The Rockets were one pitch away from the regional championship game last year.

Instead, one pitch sent them home packing.

This season, with a host of veteran players returning, the Portland Rockets are hoping they can launch past regional and book a return trip to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series.

“We had our best collection of athletes last year and they’re coming back,” said Portland manager Randy Miller, whose team opens its season at home Saturday with a doubleheader against the Indy Bandits. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller FIeld. “That’s bad news for all those on our schedule,” Miller added.

Portland’s schedule is loaded with home games to begin the season. After the doubleheader against the Bandits, the Rockets host rival the Fort Wayne Jackers for a pair of games May 27. A week later Portland plays host to the South Bend Cardinals, and the Bandits return to Runkle-Miller Field for two games June 4.

The first road game for Portland is at 7 p.m. June 7 in Celina, Ohio, against the Grand Lake Mariners. On the following day, the Rockets host the Mariners, kicking off a five-game home stretch, including doubleheaders against the Summit City Sluggers (June 10) and Fort Wayne Flippin Frogs (June 11).

The Rockets play 13 of their first 14 games of the year at the corner of Blaine Pike and Western Avenue.

Portland’s annual weekend series in South Bend is June 17 and 18, with a doubleheader against the Mishawaka Brewers on June 17 and a twin bill against the Michigan City Lakers the following day.

Trips to Fort Wayne June 21 and 23 end an eight-game road swing as Portland returns home for three games beginning June 25.

Zach Tanner, a Yorktown and Wright State product, returns for his fourth season as the leader in the lineup. The shortstop mashed a team-high 14 home runs last season, helping the Rockets to a 27-7 record.

Mitch Waters, a 2002 Jay County High School graduate and the longest-tenured Rocket entering his 12th year of service, is back at first base. Next to him will be Coldwater, Ohio, product Bill Geeslin.

Dalton Tinsley has been the left-handed batting staple for the Rockets in the leadoff spot and in center field, and he’s back for his seventh year. Indianapolis resident Kevin Sharp and 2014 South Adams graduate Collin Affolder will be next to him in the outfield.

Chris Miller and TJ Lindstrand will share the catching duties this year.

“We have a lot of coaches on this team,” Miller said of the veteran players. “We have a lot of baseball IQ … We also have a lot of that coach speak, giving and … I guess you call it leadership.

“They ain’t getting it from the coach, that’s for sure.”

South Adams graduate Dan Bollenbacher returns as the team’s ace, and he’ll anchor a staff that includes Dan Borchers and fellow Starfires Nick Batt and Alex Augsburger. Chandler Jacks, a 2016 JCHS graduate who plays for Wabash College, is also tabbed to make his Rocket debut this season.

Jackson Hobbs, a 2016 Fort Recovery graduate who holds the school record for career wins with 30, will also make appearances on the hill this season for Portland.

Veteran Justin Marrero (eight years) and newcomer Coldwater, Ohio, native Kyle McKibben will be utility players depending on their availability.

It’s a solid mix of players, both young and old, that Miller is hoping to help the Rockets get back to the NABF World Series for the first time since 2012.

“I’m putting all the marbles on this,” he said. “This is the year.”