American Legion Baseball: “Free 90’s” cost Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s in loss to Idaho Falls

By Knight Jarecki

EAGLE POINT — The Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s remain under .500 after a tough 4-2 loss to the Idaho Falls Bandits in their final game at the Coach K Memorial Classic Sunday afternoon at Eagle Point High School. With the loss, the Docs finish the tournament with a 3-2 record, having won games against Corvallis, Southern Oregon, and Salem.

Roseburg (7-9) out-hit Idaho Falls (22-6) eight to six in the contest, but two errors and a pair of balks gave Idaho Falls extra chances that ultimately proved to be the difference for the Bandits.

“We sponsored some bases today, and you are supposed to pay for that, and we did today,” Head Coach Tim Sustaire said. “Can’t give teams second chances and free 90 feet. That was kind of the game, giving them some second opportunities, advancing bases. They got the key hit and we didn’t today. We are a hit or two away from winning, which they got.”

The Docs fell behind early in the first as an RBI single by Idaho Falls’ Tyson Christenson scored an unearned run after a two-out error allowed a runner to reach second base. Despite the early deficit, Roseburg fought hard in the second with Daniel Withers, Dane St. Clair and Ryan Shaver all doubling to score two runs and take the lead.

The lead was short-lived as Idaho Falls scored the tying run in the bottom half of the inning as the ball popped free from Cal Robbins’ mitt on a fielder’s choice play at the plate that would’ve been good for a run-saving out if held onto. The Bandits added an extra run in the third and fourth innings, which was more than enough for the Bandits starter Jackson Ropp.

Ropp shut down the Roseburg offense, holding the Stewies scoreless for the four innings striking out seven and walking two. Brock Bowman pitched a perfect seventh with two strike outs for the save.

Ropp’s counterpart, Doc’s starter Rylee Cheney, went six innings, allowing just six hits and walking none while fanning seven in a complete game effort.

“Rylee commanded the zone and gave us more than a chance,” Sustaire said. “We can only ask our pitchers to do so much, so we need to find a way to get runs across.”

After four runs came in through the first four innings, Cheney got better as the game moved along. The Roseburg right-hander had one, two, three innings in the fifth and sixth while striking out four of the last nine batters he faced.

“My first pitch curveball got them out in front, and then they weren’t as effective with the fastball,” Cheney said. “I didn’t think about the score and just thought about me and Cal playing catch, and it worked.”

St. Clair finished one-for-three with the double, a run and an RBI. Paxton Burke, Ty Hellenthal and Robbins also had singles in the loss

Roseburg is back in action Monday with a doubleheader against the Medford Mustangs starting at 5 p.m. The Docs are in the midst of a stretch of 16 games in 12 days.

“We’re just getting started,” Sustaire said. “It’s a grind, but we saw some great teams and we had some great moments (this weekend).”

Monday’s doubleheader can be heard on the radio at 92.3 FM or 1490 AM. Live video simulcast is available online at 541radio.com.

Roseburg;020;000;0;—;2;8;2

Idaho Falls111;100;0;—;4;6;0

Cheney and Robbins. Ropp, Bowman (7) and Christenson. W — Ropp. L — Cheney (0-1). S — Bowman.

2B — Webb (IF), Spagnuolo (IF), Withers (R), St. Clair (R), Shaver (R).