- One of Ochoa’s two hits last night. Photo by Josh Randolph
With last nights win the Volcanoes extend their winning streak to 4 games. Last night’s win came a little different than normal for the team. It was only the second time this season that the team won a one run ball game. Outside of a rough first inning Brandon Allen pitched excellent followed by Graham and McCormick who combined for only one walk and no hits in 3 innings of work.
Offensively Ochoa, Panik and Murray all had strong nights at the plate to help rack up just enough runs to get the win. Murray reached base in all four at bats going 3-3 with a walk and 2 RBI’s.
Tonight Reinier Roibal takes the mound for the Volcanoes. Like Allen the previous night, Roibal has not recorded a win yet this season despite have a number of good outings. In four of Roibal’s six starts he has only given up 1 earned run a game. He did have a rough start July 9th against Tri-City giving up 6 earned runs in three innings, but pitched very well in his last outing only giving up 1 earned run in 5 innings.
Keys for the game:
-Roibal has only given up four walks this entire season so that means the ball will be in play a lot tonight. Like the last two nights if the team can keep the error total to under two, they will have a real good chance of holding Everett’s offense in check. However, if the defense gets sloppy Everett has the talent to jump on a team.
– The middle of the lineup needs to stay hot. Murray, Panik, Downing, and Krill have all been hitting well this season and the team needs them to keep it up as well as getting key at bats by the 6-9 hitters.
– Don’t get over confident. Baseball players know that one week things can go perfectly and the next week they could go horrible. In order to be successful you can’t get to high or to down on yourself. Just stay with in yourself and play hard.
Today’s Lineup
1. Shawn Payne #5 CF
2. Leonardo Ochoa #37 LF
3. Joe Panik #12 SS
4. Mike Murray #25 DH
5. Ryan Honeycutt #32 RF
6. Dan Burkhart #26 C
7. Garrett Buechele #26 3b
8. Brice Cutspec #22 1b
9. John Eshleman #2 2b
SP Reinier Roibal #41