The Brazos Valley Bombers closed out a two-game sweep of the Mineral Wells Steam with a convincing 8-2 victory on Friday night at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark. The win was capped by a spectacular post-game fireworks display for Bombers Fireworks Friday.
The win moved the Bombers to a 4-4 record on the young season, the first time the team has been at .500 since the second game of the season, just as the nearly the entire anticipated roster has come together.
Mineral Wells jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on Brazos Valley starter Will Currier, but the Bombers answered in the home half of the frame. TJ Mittelstaedt, continuing to prove he is the fireplug at the top of the order that the Bombers were looking for, led off with a single. Kyle Sisney, batting in the two-hole, scored Mittelstaedt with a single.
The Bombers blew the game open in the second, scoring four to take an insurmountable 5-1 lead. Joseph Towns walked, and Will Basom and Ryan Weber singled to load the bases. Kip Masuda, making his first start since joining the Bombers from Long Beach State, singled home Towns to give the B’s their first lead of the night. Doug Simmons drew a bases loaded walk to earn an RBI, then a Mittelstaedt groundout plated another run to up the score to 4-1. After Sisney walked to reload the bases, Keith Stein hit into a fielder’s choice to score the final run of the inning.
The Steam chipped away at the lead in the top of the third inning to make the score 5-2, but that was as close as they would come. Currier shut Mineral Wells down from there on out, retiring seven in a row on his way to a sparkling six-inning outing. Evan Cox took over for Currier and delivered two scoreless innings, and Taylor Davis pitched the ninth to close out the game.
The Bombers put the game away in the seventh inning, scoring three runs. Mittelstaedt was again in the thick of things, leading off with a single. After a Sisney groundout, Stein scored Mittelstaedt with a single. Mark McGonigle singled, then he and Stein advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. That was all Will Basom needed. The hero of Thursday night’s game, Basom drove a single past the first baseman to score two and extend the Bombers lead to 8-2.
For the game, Mittelstaedt and Basom led the Bombers’ offensive charge with two hits apiece. Masuda played well in his starting debut, reaching base twice, scored a run and drove another home. He also flashed his defensive skills, snapping a throw to first behind the runner that nearly caught the Mineral Wells player napping.
The Bombers go on the road for a tough four-game, three-day road trip on Saturday, opening up with a doubleheader in Duncanville. Sunday sees the Bombers travel to Mineral Wells for a rematch with the Steam. The squad will close out the road trip on Monday in Weatherford against the Wranglers. The Bombers will return to Brazos Valley on Wednesday for games against the Denton Outlaws and the Wranglers. Thursday night will mark the return of Thirsty Thursdays, featuring 50-cent 16-ounce soft drinks and one dollar 12-ounce draft beers, sponsored by Jack FM.