The Bombers headed up to the Metroplex this Independence Day to start three games in two days with the McKinney Marshals. Today's game was moved up to a 5:30 start, and that did not hurt the Bombers as they won the game in 10 innings 3-2 in a game where the Bombers got great pitching, solid hitting and sound defense.

 

The Bombers were able to score one run early in the game during the first inning. With two out, left fielder, Brandon Wood, hit a ball to leftfield, but was dropped by the Marshal leftfielder that put Wood on at first on an error. The next batter, first baseman James Wharton, then stepped to the plate and drew a walk. Third baseman, Brennyn Smith then came to the plate and hit a shot down the leftfield line that rolled all the wall to the corner that allowed Wood to come to the plate and score the run making the game 1-0 Bombers. After the Marshals scored a couple of runs that made the game 2-1 Marshals, the Bombers tied the game up in the seventh inning. Second baseman, Corey Toups led the inning off with a single to leftfield. Toups was then sacrificed to second on a bunt by center fielder Chris Florack. Second baseman Nick Smelser, then came to the plate and drew a walk. Wood then was hit by a pitch that would load the bases. With the bases loaded, first baseman, James Wharton, would hit an infield single that scored Toups making the game tied 2-2. As the game moved into the top of the 10th inning, right fielder Myles Parma would get on base with a double hit to right center. Myles would then move down to third base on a ball that briefly got passed the Marshal catcher. As Parma headed to third, the Marshal catcher fired the ball to third as Parma was sliding in, but the ball got away from the third baseman and Myles alertly darted for home and scored the go ahead run giving the Bombers a 3-2 lead.

 

College Station native, Brannon Easterling started on the mound for the Bombers. Easterling posted a very solid start outing for the Bombers. Easterling was able to pitch six innings and threw four strikeouts. Georgetown native, Nick Johnson came into the game at the start of the seventh innings and pitched both the seventh and eighth innings of solid relief. St. Louis, Missouri native, Derek Mazzio then came into the game and pitched the final two innings of relief eventually getting a Marshal to fly out to Chris Florack in center sealing the 3-2 win. 

 

The Bombers pitching staff was helped by great plays in the field. Early in the game, Smelser fielded a ground ball then stepped on second before firing the ball to Wharton at first for a 6-3 double play to end the inning. Toups made a nice play by catching a ricochet off of the glove of Wharton and then getting the ball in time to a covering Easterling for an out. In the bottom of the eighth, Smelser made a fantastic back hand grab to field a ground ball and managed to get the ball to Toups who then threw to Wharton for a 6-4-3 double play. Towards the end of the game Smelser was also able to make another 6-3 double play. Brannon Easterling and Myles Parma were both named H&R Block Never Settle For Less Players of the Game. 

 

The Bombers will continue their series with the Marshals tomorrow with a double header. The first game will get under way from Allen High School at 3:00.The second game will get underway approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. The Bombers will return to American Momentum Bank Ballpark on Friday when they host the Acadiana Cane Cutters with first pitch scheduled for 7:05. The game will be a Family Friday brought to you by the George Bush Presidential Library, and the game will also mark Hollywood Night at the park! The Bombers close out the week by hosting The Woodlands Strykers on Saturday at 7:05. It will be a Kids Free Saturday sponsored by Chicken Express and MLB Night by Scott & White Health Plan, The One Texans Trust-Mini Bat Giveaway!