Rockets lose in semifinal

FORT WAYNE — The Jackers were threatening.

Bases loaded and two outs, the Rockets just needed to get out of the jam.

A blooper put an end to the Rockets’ hopes of going to the world series for the second year in a row and third time in eight seasons.

A bases-clearing blooper to right field broke a 2-2 tie and the Portland Rockets weren’t able to recover in a 10-3 loss to the host Fort Wayne Jackers in the NABF Regional semifinal Saturday at Indiana Tech University.

After knocking off Portland, which was defending regional champion, the Jackers won the title to advance to the NABF World Series Thursday through Sunday in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Portland (16-14) reached the tournament semifinal by going 1-1 in pool play Friday. The Rockets, who the week before got pummeled 19-3 by the Berea Blue Sox in the mini-regional final at Runkle-Miller Field, beat the Battle Creek Behnke 10-2 Friday afternoon at Carrington Field.

Garrett Scott allowed just two hits on 65 pitches in the seven-inning contest. He got offensive help from Zeth Tanner, who hit a three-run home run.

In the final game of pool play later Friday night, a wild pitch in the last inning allowed a run to score as the Rockets lost 5-4 to the Fort Wayne Expos.

Longtime Portland Rocket captain and Portland native Mitch Waters went 8-for-10 over the tournament in the final three games of his career. Chris Gaines and Dustin Lewis had five hits apiece, and Zach Tanner contributed four hits.