Ballers slug their way to victory to sweep Mobiles
Risse throws 6.1 scoreless, Ballers hammer four homers in sweep
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | X | 7 | 8 | 0 |
By Gareth Kwok
OAKLAND, CA – Behind a brilliant start from Aidan Risse (W, 1-1) and four home runs, the Oakland Ballers defeated the RedPocket Mobiles 7-1 on Sunday afternoon from Raimondi Park to complete a three-game sweep.
Oakland (6-6) utilized its power once again to overwhelm RedPocket starting right-hander Charlie Adamson (L, 0-2). With the Ballers ahead by one, Jake Allgeyer and T.J. McKenzie hit solo shots in the fourth and fifth, respectively, to give the Ballers a 3-0 lead.
In the sixth, Esai Santos and Cam Bufford followed with solo shots of their own as part of a four-run sixth. Noah Blythe doubled home a run and Nick Leehey singled him home to give Oakland its biggest lead of the day at 7-0.
Oakland's 33 homers this season are second-most in the Pioneer League through the first 12 games.
Risse (W, 1-1) twirled a gem in his third start of the season. The former San Francisco Don used his sinker and slider to pitch 6.1 shutout frames, allowing five hits and two walks with four strikeouts to earn his first win of the season. It's the third consecutive 6+ inning start by a Baller and the first Ballers scoreless start of the season.
Right-handers Matt Lozovoy and Michael Riley made their Ballers debuts after being acquired over the weekend. Lozovoy threw a scoreless eighth with a strikeout. Riley surrendered a homer to Justin Johnson but closed it out in the ninth to seal the win.
The Ballers will now hit the road to Montana for 12 games beginning with a three-game series on Tuesday night against the Glacier Range Riders in Kalispell, MT. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m from Glacier Bank Park. Fans can tune in beginning at 5:20 pm on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel.
