Rocket rally falls short

FORT WAYNE — The Rockets are known for their rallies.

They almost put one together Tuesday.

The Portland Rockets scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning but left the potential tying run at the plate in a 10-8 loss to the Northeast Kekionga at Indiana Tech’s Warrior Field.

Portland, which is 0-4 on the season and hosts the Mishawaka Brewers at 1 p.m. Saturday for a doubleheader, scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to tie the score at 5-5. But the Kekionga, Indiana Tech’s summer-league team, plated five runs in the home half of the frame.

Three runs in the top of the ninth made it 10-8 before Malave Bettinger, who represented the tying run, lined out to shortstop to end the game.

Zach Tanner led the Rockets with a two-run double in the ninth inning and Bettinger had an RBI double in the fifth. Chris Gaines was 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, while Elias Inskeep and Zeth Tanner also drove in runs.

Cody Krumlauf took the loss, allowing five runs on one hit and four walks in the eighth.



Bright powers in win

Olivia Bright was busy with the bat on Tuesday, leading Jay County Monument past Moser Motors 23-6 in Portland Junior League’s Major softball division.

Bright hit a double and three singles, knocked in five runs and scored four times. Riah Champ collected three singles, four runs and two RBIs, as Breanna Randall chipped in a triple, a single and four RBIs. Makaya Champ tallied four runs and two RBIs.

Destiny McManus tripled, singled, scored once and drove in two runs for Moser. Jacquelin Smith and Laci McGinnis both singled in the loss.



PG gets shut out

PG-14 grabbed a 10-0 win against Portland Optimist on Tuesday in PJL’s Willie Mays division.

Maddox Huffman had a home run, a single and two RBIs in the win for PG-14. Leighton Brown tripled and doubled, while Canyon Nichols also doubled and singled. Nick Snow hit a triple as well, and Rhysin Blowers singled.

Dominick Bright doubled in the loss for Optimist and Shawn Harrell singled.



Optimist outlasts REMC

Four players had three hits apiece on Tuesday in helping Portland Optimist outlast Jay County REMC 15-12 in PJL’s Rookie softball division.

Madyson Taylor had a double, two singles and scored three runs, while Brinley Steed, Alieah Cox and Kamzy Johnson hit three singles and knocked in two runs apiece. Shylyn Blowers doubled and singled as well.

Ashlynn Brunswick and Karsyn Schwieterman hit four singles apiece for REMC, which got three hits from both Kenady Lyons and Charlee Peters.



Wendel paces Inman

Grant Wendel’s three singles, two RBIs and two runs paced Inman U-Loc as it defeated Lions Club 18-3 Tuesday in Willie Mays action.

Gavin Byrum tripled and singled, while Nick Laux and Freddie Lingo each had one single. Byrum knocked in four runs, Lingo scored three times and Laux did so twice.

Lions Club got two singles from Alex Miller and a double from Cole Carpenter. Wes Wenning and Braydon Novak both singled.



Lodge tops Moser

Jay Lodge 87 topped Moser Motors on Tuesday, 17-5.

Rieley Brewster homered in the win for Jay Lodge. Reba Wendel singled three times, as Brenna Haines doubled and singled in the win. Haley Cummings recorded a pair of singles.

Moser got singles from Lillie Arnold, Brianna Zorn, Madison Reier, Jacqueline Smith, Laci McGinnis and Destiny McManis.