Box Score

In a game that totaled a TCL record four hours and thirty minutes, the Brazos Valley Bombers lost their 2009 season opener to the McKinney Marshals by a score of 3-2.

Making the start for the Bombers, Travis Smith of the University of Michigan pitched three innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts against the reigning league-champion Marshals. The Marshals finally were able to get some runs on the board, however, in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 2-0 lead. That is how the score stood until the top of the 8th inning, when Bombers third baseman Drew Mason hit a two-run double to even the game up at 2-2.

And that is how the score stayed, as both teams put goose eggs on the board, inning after inning all the way into the 16th inning. The Bombers threatened in the 15th inning, loading the bases with just one out, but the Marshals made a spectacular play to double up Alan Harris to get out of the inning. Nico Taylor finally knocked in the winning run for the Marshals off Brian Watson in the bottom of the 16th to pick up the win in grand fashion, scoring Jay Morris.

Watson, who pitched a shutout in his only appearance last summer, pitched outstanding out of the Bombers bullpen. The lefthander struck out seven in 6.1 innings of relief, but unfortunately took the loss for the Bombers, who are now 2-1 all-time in season openers.

The Bombers will travel to Coppell tomorrow evening to play the Copperheads at 7:05 pm. The Copperheads were idle tonight, but will be looking forward to the matchup against the Bombers. The Bombers will return back home Sunday for Fan Fest, which will take place at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark at 5 pm. In addition to various festivities that include a home run derby, several live bands will be playing as the Bombers get ready to kick off their home opener on Tuesday.

The Bombers have a busy week ahead of them, with Cashback Tuesday, Margaritaville Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday and Fireworks Friday all on the slate. Fans will have an opportunity to win up to $1100 on Tuesday with a variety of contests and giveaways as the Bombers face off in a rematch with the Marshals.  Former Texas A&M football coach Jackie Sherrill will be throwing out the first pitch during Wednesday’s $2 Margarita night, which precedes the fan-favorite $1 Beer Thirsty Thursday night. Fireworks Friday wraps up the week, as fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a fireworks show immediately following the game. The Texas Touring Ts Club will be making a special appearance Friday as well, providing fans with a opportunity to see several original Model-T cars, which will be at the ballpark for the game.

The Bombers are members of the Texas Collegiate League, one of the nation’s premier summer collegiate circuits. Teams like the Bombers bring minor league baseball-style entertainment to communities throughout the country, giving some of the best college players a chance to further their careers in wood bat leagues in front of Major League scouts. The Bombers 48-game season runs through August 8, followed by the TCL playoffs and a championship series. Season tickets for the 2009 season are now on sale. More information is available by calling the Bombers ticket office at (979) 779-PLAY, visiting the Bombers office in Bryan, or logging on to the Bombers’ official web site at www.bvbombers.com.