Rockets lose regular season finale to Royals

The Rockets didn’t have their best showing in the regular season finale, but they will head into the postseason with a favorable shot to make it to the world series.

The Portland Rockets fell to the South Bend Royals 9-5 on Saturday before rain canceled the second game of a doubleheader to close the regular season.

A six-run fourth inning doomed the Rockets (22-8) as South Bend collected three singles, a double, a home run, a walk and a sacrifice fly to pile on the damage.

Portland scored a run in the second inning and a pair in the third and fifth frames. Crosby Heniser led the team with two RBIs on a pair of singles.

Camden La Fuze took the loss after giving up all nine runs, eight of which were earned, on 11 hits and one walk over four innings. Cody Rowles didn’t allow a hit in his three frames of relief.

While the loss snapped a seven-game winning streak, the Rockets will carry the top seed and host the NABF Regional. Their first game will be in Friday’s semifinal at 7 p.m. against the winner of the Livonia Firebirds and the Fort Wayne Blues.

Should Portland lose the first game, they will face the loser of the first game on Saturday at 1 p.m. The championship game will follow.