MEDFORD – Missed opportunities in two innings proved to be the difference for the Roseburg baseball team in a Southwest Conference contest against North Medford on Tuesday.
The Indians committed two errors with two outs in the third inning allowing three runs to score and the Black Tornado scored three more runs with two outs in the sixth on their way to a 7-4 victory.
Roseburg (9-6; 5-3 SWC) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a two out double by Luke Lucido, but North Medford (9-7; 5-4 SWC) rallied in the bottom half of the inning to pull ahead. Lucido misplayed a routine ground ball to second base, allowing a runner to get on with two outs. The next hitter also reached on an error by shortstop Cody Johnson.
The errors extended the inning and North Medford made Roseburg pay for it. Seniors Kasey Buchanan and Justin Geyer had back-to-back hits to bring home three runs and putting the Black Tornado up 3-1.
The Indians chipped away at the deficit and tied the game in the fifth. Garrett Russell and Collin Warmouth had back-to-back, two-out singles to drive in two runs and even the game at 4-4.
Roseburg threatened to regain the lead in the top of the sixth inning, but the Indians couldn’t cash in with the bases loaded and two outs.
In the bottom of the sixth, North Medford was able to pull off the two-out rally. With men on the corners, junior Quinton Rumrey hit a triple into the left field corner scoring two runs. Brandon King followed with a bloop single to right field to tack on another insurance run.
Trailing 7-4, the Indians could only manage to get one runner on base in the seventh inning and fell short of a comeback.
Cody Johnson took the loss for Roseburg after relieving starter Collin Warmouth. North Medford’s Tristan Drewian took the win in relief of starter Ryan Sandoval.
Warmouth led the Indians offensively, going 3-for-3 on the day, with a RBI and a sacrifice bunt. Garrett Russell also had a multi-hit day, with two singles. Lucido went 1-for-2 on the day and extended his season-high hit streak to 10 games.
Up next, the Indians will attempt once again to host the Sheldon Irish. Roseburg and Sheldon were scheduled to play last week, but the contest has been postponed three times. The game is now scheduled to be played Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Legion Field. The game will be broadcast on 1490 The Score and online at 541radio.com.
ROSEBURG 001; 120; 0 – 4 7 2
NORTH MEDFORD 003; 103; X – 7 6 1
Warmouth, Johnson (5), Alexander (6) and Te. Jacks; Sandoval, Drewian (6) and Geyer. WP – Drewian. LP – Johnson (2-3)
2B – Warmouth (R), Lucido (R), Geyer (NM). 3B – Rumrey (NM)
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