WBC Round 1       Portland Rockets 10   Cincinnati Chiefs 1

Good morning baseball fans, it’s a beautiful day in Portland.

Portland hosts the World Baseball Congress National Tournament this weekend.

Games were played at both Jay County High School and Runkle-Miller Field last evening. The 8 team field includes teams from 5 states, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky.  In Round One action, winners were:

Northwest Patriots 9 and Louisville 2,

Illinois Jayhawks 7 and Decatur Dirty Birds 5,

Battle Creek 17 and Ft. Wayne 1, and

Portland Rockets 10 Cincinnati Chiefs 1.

Portland Rocket right-hander Mitch Water (the Italian stallion) was dominating with a capital “D”.  The 6-year Rocket vet returned home and retired the first 11 men he faced.  With a 90-plus fastball, he pitched a no-hitter into the 6^th striking out 7.  

Rockets broke open a 0-0 game in the 3^rd, Heath Williams smacked a lead off home run to left and the Rockets took off, 2 runs in the 3^rd, 2 runs in the 4^th, and 6 in the 5^th inning.  Big blow in the 5^th inning was a bases clearing triple by Waters.  Mitch also led the offense with 3 hits, oh yeah, his dad David Waters did the field preparations on the day too, thanks man. All with 2 hits, Heath Williams including his Rocket shot over the fence, Brian Brudi and Bill Geeslin.

Rockets had 12 hits to Cincinnati 2. The Chiefs, the winner of their city league, now fall to 21-8.  We will see them next week at the NABF Regional in Cincinnati.  Rockets now 16-15.

Happy big “0” birthday Karen Roesler, from our sponsor bank of Geneva. Rocket fans were in for a treat last night, we had a bunch of Sautbines and Clarks there, and if you missed it, hey we get to do it again! In round two Saturday, the Rockets play Ft. Wayne at 11am and then Battle Creek at 5pm. The 5 pm matchup Portland vs. Battle Creek is huge in the pool play format. Dan Bollenbacher will start vs. the Battle Creek Buds. Let’s go Portland; we need your support at 5pm if we dare to be a champion. 

Glad to hear Oriel Poole was a champion at the demolition derby last night, he is the Johnny Cash of Jay County, you know; wonder if he drove his car barefooted???

Rockets win over Cincinnati; play at 11 and 5 pm today (Saturday). Grab a cooler and a lawn chair and a Rocket dog and have a great time at the ballpark.

Hey, we are giving away a free night’s stay at the Holiday Inn Express tonight, stop by for details on other prizes as well.

You can’t beat fun for a good time.

This is Randy Miller pg 14