MIDLAND Pitching helped the Midland RockHounds set the tone early in their series opener against the Frisco RoughRiders Tuesday at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
Although the game got close in its late stages, the RockHounds came away with a 4-3 victory courtesy of a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth from Kyle McCann.
The RockHounds won the matinee contest in front of an announced crowd of 5,059, most of them being children from area schools as the team was hosting one of its 2022 kids days.
“It’s always fun to have a kids day when they’re chanting the players’ names, it’s a little bit different atmosphere than normal,” RockHounds manager Bobby Crosby said. “To have the, it’s almost white noise, with all the kids chatting and clattering.
“It’s always fun when we have that and the guys enjoy it as well.”
Going into the game, the RockHounds knew they would face some tough looks from the RoughRiders who currently lead the Texas League’s South division.
Getting a strong start on the mound was key to swing the game in Midland’s direction.
Pitcher J.T. Ginn gave the RockHounds plenty to work with, allowing just three hits through the game’s first five innings, striking out seven and allowing one run.
After retiring the first three Frisco batters in order in the top of the first, Midland gave itself a two-run lead to excite the young crowd.
An RBI single from Devin Foyle scored the first run and Jeremy Eierman drove in Chase Calabuig with a ground-rule double to put the team up 2-0.
Eierman showed up again in the bottom of the third with a one-run single to drive in Zack Gelof.
Although Frisco’s J.P. Martinez responded with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fifth, the RockHounds were still getting solid performances from their bullpen.
It wasn’t until the eighth that Frisco applied pressure when Ezequiel Duran scored on a fielder’s choice and Blaine Crim reached home on a throwing error at second base.
With the score tied at 3-3, McCann sealed the RockHounds’ victory with a sacrifice fly to drive in Devin Foyle in the ninth.
Crosby said he was pleased with the effort he got from the bullpen to start the series against the RoughRiders.
Ginn, Chase Cohen, Austin Briggs and Jack Weisenburger each saw action for the RockHounds, striking out 11 batters and surrendering five hits.
“Ginn had an awesome start for us, he was composed and his velocity was up a little bit,” Crosby said. “He pitched great, he was hitting his spots and Cohen came in and got in a couple jams but was able to get out.
“Briggs has been awesome for us, he just didn’t have his stuff today but Weisenburger was able to come in and pick him up and close out the game.”
The win helped the RockHounds (9-7 overall) gain some ground on the RoughRiders in the standings, sitting only one game out of first place.
Crosby said he wasn’t worried about what Frisco might throw at his team through the rest of the series because he trusts his players to get the job done.
“I know the team we have and I know the personnel we have that if we perform the way we have the capability of doing, I don’t care who we’re up against,” Crosby said. “We have a really good team here. We don’t take anybody lightly but at the same time I’m pretty confident in the guys we have here.”
The RockHounds and RoughRiders will continue their series at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
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