ROSSVILLE — The Rattlers memorialized former coach Brett Cowdin with a 9-3 victory over the Topeka Senators on Friday night.
Tyler Davis, a sophomore at the University of Kansas struck out 10 Senators over five innings of one-hit ball. All told, Rossville pitchers would combine to strike out 17 batters in a combined five-hitter
Rossville (8-4) collected five home runs to provide the offensive punch. Third baseman Derrick McGreevy, a Hayden product, started the home run parade with a solo shot on the first pitch of his at bat in the second inning.
Jonathan Valenzuela-Reece hit his second home run in as many nights in the third inning. Oklahoma State catcher Michael Higgins hit a 2-1 pitch out of the ballpark to produce back-to-back long balls for Rossville.
The Rattlers second baseman and catcher combination would hit back-to-back home runs for a second time in the game in the sixth inning.
Valenzuela-Reece also drove in two runs with a single in the fourth.
“He (Valenzuela-Reece) was just crushing the ball tonight,” Rossville coach Tobi Cowdin said. “He was really feeling it and everybody got involved in the offense. You just really couldn’t ask for more.”
The Rattlers memorialized Brett Cowdin, Tobi’s father, with their second annual ceremony before the game.
Brett Cowdin started the summer program in Rossville, and also coached baseball at Highland Park, Hayden, Topeka West, and Rossville high schools. He passed away in November 2013.
Blake Heston broke up Rossville’s shutout bid with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
With the loss the Senators fall to 6-13 on the season. The two teams will complete the three-game set with a seven-inning game at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
“It was a real special night — almost surreal,” Cowdin said. “We’ve won five in a row and have it rolling now. We’re going to try to keep it going and look for the sweep tomorrow.”
RATTLERS 9, SENATORS 3
Senators (6-13) 000 000 030 — 3 5 1
Rattlers (8-4) 012 213 00x — 9 11 1
Woodcock, Correll (6) and Srna. Davis, Hosey (6), Johnson (8),Mah (9), and Higgins. W — Davis. L — Woodcock. 2B — Senators: Clark. Rattlers: Valenzuela-Reece, HR — Senators: Heston. Rattlers: Valenzuela-Reece (2), Higgins (2), McGreevy.
No comments:
Post a Comment