American Legion Baseball: Roseburg Dr. Stewarts Split Friday Doubleheader at Coach K Memorial Classic
By Knight Jarecki
EAGLE POINT — Roseburg Dr. Stewarts won its opener 3-2 against Southern Oregon Baseball but lost the night cap 4-2 to the Reno Knights to split its doubleheader Friday at Eagle Point High School during Day 2 of the Coach K Memorial Classic.
Entering the day with a chance at .500, the Docs (6-8) will now have to win out the rest of the weekend to get back to even on the season.
A great outing by Myrtle Point’s Jake Sproul and early offense propelled Roseburg to its second win of the weekend during an 11:30 a.m. matinee.
“Getting that first one this morning was a heck of a start for our guys,” Head Coach Tim Sustaire said, “Jake was in the zone. You never have to question what he is going to do.”
Sproul, who led the state of Oregon in strikeouts during the high school spring season, fanned seven over six and 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and walking four before being pulled with two outs in the seventh due to reaching the pitch limit.
“Change up was doing pretty well today. I was able to command the fastball a little bit. A couple of good curveballs mixed in there,” Sproul said. “Kinda just ponded the zone. I know my guys behind me will make out, so that’s all that matters.”
Roseburg took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second thanks to a Fletcher Coleman two-RBI single after the bases were loaded with 2 outs on a hit-by-pitch and two walks. An inning later, Logan Anderson reached first base on an error and stole second to allow Cal Robbins to drive him home on an RBI double to left. The two hits were the only hits of the game for the Stewies, as the Docs hung on to win by one despite being out-hit 3-2.
Southern Oregon was able to break Roseburg’s scoreless streak on the mound in the 7th. Sproul was pulled for Coleman after allowing a single and a hit-by-pitch in the 7th. Coleman walked the lead-off batter and allowed a two-RBI single that allowed the game-tying run to reach third base, but the southpaw fanned Southern Oregon’s Pat Wilson to end the game and earn the save.
“Found a way to get it done,” Sustaire said. “Fletcher came in and closed the door.”
After a nearly three-hour wait until the second game against the Knights, the Docs started a little sluggish, falling behind 2-0 early. Reno’s Troy Riely was in command throughout the game as the right-hander allowed just one earned run on 3 hits across 5 and 2/3 innings.
“Good arm. That’s why we come to these. You want to see those arms,” Sustaire said. You should want to be challenged. We had opportunities. We’ve got to play a little cleaner defensively behind our pitchers.”
The Docs committed two errors — one in the second and one in the fifth — that resulted in two unearned runs, which were ultimately the difference.
Despite trailing by two in the bottom of the 7th, Roseburg was able to put the tying run on first base and bring the winning run to the plate with one out. Burke was then picked off from first base, and Anderson popped up to end the game as the comeback effort fell short.
“We just have to find a way to get that key hit. It’s there, we just gotta make it happen,” Sustaire said.
The Docs will be back in action, bright and early on Saturday with a 9 a.m. first pitch scheduled against the Salem Wellcare Dodgers. Roseburg finishes out their weekend with a 11:30 first pitch versus Idaho Falls on Sunday.
All games during the weekend can be heard on 92.3 FM or 1490 AM. Live video simulcast is available at 541radio.com.
First Game
Southern Oregon;000;000;2;—;2;3;0
Roseburg;021;000;0;—;3;2;0
Chandler and Taylor. Sproul, Coleman (7) and Bowers. W — Sproul. L — Chandler. S — Coleman. 2B — Robbins (R).
Second Game
Reno;110;020;0;—;4;6;1
Roseburg;000;101;0;—;2;5;2
Riley, Keshishian (6) Edwards (7) and Chick. Reigard, Coleman (5), Burke (7) and Robbins. W — Riley. L — Reigard. S — Edwards. 2B — Jones (RE).
