ROSEBURG – A four-run rally in the eighth inning got the Doc Stewart’s baseball team within a run of the visiting Mid-Valley Rockets, but it wasn’t enough as the Doc’s left the tying run on base in the ninth and lost 9-8 in their season opener Saturday.
The Doc’s held a one-run lead twice in the first three innings, but a four-run fourth inning for the Rockets put them ahead for good. It wasn’t easy for Mid-Valley though, as the Rockets had to hold off the Doc’s late.
A two-run double by Terrell Jacks got the Doc Stewart’s rally started in the eighth inning. It was his second double of the game and it made the score 9-6. Jacks would later score on a groundout by Shawn Rigsby and it was now a 9-7 score with two outs. The Doc’s final run came off a single to right field by Cam Lierman.
Doc’s reliever Chris Stone kept the Rockets off the board in the ninth to keep it a one-run game. A one-out single by Zack Watkins in the bottom of the ninth got the game-tying run on base for the Doc’s. Watkins moved up to second on a two-out single by Andrew Harrington, but the game would come to an end on a ground ball to second base. Mid-Valley’s Justin Tow fielded and threw to second for the force out to wrap-up the win for the Rockets.
Taking the loss for the Doc’s was reliever Dustin McHugill, who pitched the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Head coach Scott Shaver said before the game that he planned to have three pitchers each throw three innings in the contest. Wryland McKnight got the start and gave up three unearned runs during his time. Stone finished the game, throwing the seventh through ninth innings and recording six strikeouts.
Reliever Curtis Zamora earned the win for Mid Valley. Zamora relieved Dylan Williams, who gave up four runs in the first three innings. Zamora surrendered just two hits and did not concede a run to the Doc’s.
The Doc Stewart’s out-hit the Rockets 13-11. The Doc’s had five players with multiple hits in the game, led by Lierman, who went 3-for-5 in the game with a double and two singles. Lierman added two RBIs and a run scored.
Up next for the Doc Stewart’s is the season’s first road trip. The Doc’s will visit the Portland Barbers on Monday for a doubleheader at Liberty High School. Game one is scheduled for 5 p.m. Broadcast coverage of the twin bill will start at 4:45 p.m. on 1490 The Score and online at 541radio.com.
SCORES BY INN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 – R H E
MID VALLEY 2 1 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 – 9 11 8
DOC’S 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 – 8 13 3
W: Curtis Zamora
L: Dalton McHugill (0-1)
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— 1490 The Score (@KSKRTheScore) October 24, 2024