Bombers Split Doubleheader with the Strykers
The Brazos Valley Bombers were originally scheduled to play The Woodlands Strykers at home, but with the rainout at American Momentum Bank Ballpark, the teams played a double header on Thursday in the Woodlands. The Woodlands took the first game 4-1, and the Bombers took the second game 11-3.
In the first game, Bombers starter, Luis Dejesus, threw four innings while tossing a couple of strikeouts. Derek Mazzio then came in the pitch the final two innings recording a strikeout. The pitching was solid, but a couple sharply hit balls to the outfield are what turned out to burn the Bombers.
The Bombers offense in the first game was only able to bang out five hits. Their lone run would come in the bottom of the fifth when right fielder Myles Parma, who got on base with a single to right field, came home to score on a groundout by catcher Kevin Lamb. Four of the Bombers hits were singles and the only extra base hit was a double to left field by Nick Smelser.
The Bombers started early in the second game. After center field Chris Florack and Corey Toups drew a walk and hit a single respectfully, left fielder Brandon Wood hit an infield single that brought Florack home. First baseman, Brad Porras, was then hit by a pitch. Third baseman Brennyn Smith drew a walk that scored Toups. Wood would score on a groundout by catcher Braden Mattson. Designated hitter Bobby Butvin would draw a walk which would precede a walk to Shea Pierce that scored Porras giving the Bombers a 4-0 lead. The offense would score one run in the 3rd. After Smith ripped a double down the third base line, Mattson stroked a double to centerfield that would allow Smith to come to the plate giving the Bombers a 5-0 lead. After the Strykers closed the lead to 5-3, Mattson came to plate a belted a homerun to left center that extended the lead to 6-3. With two Bombers on Smith belted a homerun to leftfield that increased the Bombers lead. New Bomber, James Whathon, also hit a two run shot to left center that made the score 11-3.
Bombers starter, Brannon Easterling started on the mound. He threw a couple of strikeouts in six innings of work on the mound. Reliever Nick Johnson came in to pitch the seventh.
The Bombers will take on the Alexandria Aces in Alexandria tonight. They will return home this Saturday to take on the East Texas Pump Jacks. First pitch is set for 7:05. The game will be a Kids Free Saturday brought to you by Chicken Express! The game will also be Local Heros Night sponsored by TEEX!