Augusta, NJ: The Sussex County Miners sweep the doubleheader against the Brockton Rox
After a game one explosion by the Miners offense, game two was more of a pitchers duel. The Miners bullpen put in the work. Jackson Balzan got the start and despite the early struggle, gave the Miners three strong innings. Tyler Thornton and John Perrozzi would follow suit, slamming the door on the Brockton Rox offense.
But the Miners offense could not capitalize throughout seven innings, despite doubling the hit count. They left runners on first and second in the bottom of the first and second innings and then runners on corners in the third.
Then in the bottom of the seven with the chance to win the game with bases loaded and no outs, the Miners gave up empty. The game would go into extra innings somehow scoreless.
It looked as though the Miners were going to pay for the missed opportunities. With two outs in the top of the eighth, Hayden Travinski delivered the game’s first run for the Brockton Rox, launching a single to center field to bring Scott Seeker home.
Needing a late game hero, Haiden Walters once again rose to the occasion. Down to their last out, he pulled through with an RBI single to tie the game at one. Even Berkey would reach on a fielder’s choice error, then Edwin Mateo would get plunked to load the bases for the second time.
On a 1-1 count, the pitch got away from relief pitcher Branden Bell. Haiden Walters, who delivered the tying run, would sprint to home plate to score the winning run in the bottom of the 8th as the Miners swept the doubleheader against the Brockton Rox.
Miners will look for the sweep tomorrow night at 7:05.
Fans can watch live on the Frontier League Network via HTN or listen on Mixlr. Streaming links are available at scminers.com.
Written by Justin Haight