Rebels end River Bandits road winning streak

By Dennis Atwood -- sports@nvdaily.com

NEW MARKET -- The Woodstock River Bandits three-game road winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt as the New Market Rebels broke open a tight game with four runs on five hits in the seventh, on the way to a convincing 7-2 win, in a Valley League contest.

It was a reschedule of the squads' June 5 rain out season opener. It may have been the beginning of a new season for the Rebels, whose only previous win was a 9-2 victory Friday night, over the Rockbridge Rapids, new in the league this year.

There were a couple of very physical plays in the third inning, looking more like football than baseball.

In the top of the frame, second baseman Derek Garza led off with a single to center. Center fielder Stephen Hunt then put down a good bunt down the third-base line, and the River Bandits couldn't capitalize as Garza tried to sneak home on the confusion and was thrown out from second to catcher to third baseman. Hunt was then caught stealing third to end the inning.

Zach Helgeson had three singles, to go 3-for-4, with two RBIs and a run, improving his average to .363. After the game, he looked like he'd been in a serious car crash with tape and ice on his left shoulder, right calf, and left shin.

"The throw was a bit high and I went up for it," Helgeson said. "They teach you stay on the ground for a while after a collision, and I did get the wind knocked out of me.

"I've really been focusing on being more aggressive as I go, and I ran into a few problems in Covington, and it's been a battle for me to stay aggressive at the plate."

The Rebels returned the rough play in the bottom of the third when Kevin Rufus doubled, Matt Leskiw stuck out, and Jordan Pegram singled to right. Rufus barreled into catcher Shawn Ablett, who dropped the ball.

Woodstock missed plenty of opportunities, and New Market pitchers closed the door just in time on several occasions.

Woodstock starter Alex Burkard worked six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits six strikeouts, two walks, and a hit batsman. He left, trailing 3-2 and took the loss.

Trent Landa came on in the seventh, and New Market broke open the game and batted around as Nathan Furry led off with a double to center, Richard Gonzalez singled Furry home and stole second.

Will Hudgins relieved Landa and gave up a single to Rufus singled, who stole second, Matt Leskiw drew a walk and Pegram singled to left to load the bases. Pinch hitter Kenny Mickens was hit by a pitch, driving in Leskiw and Helgeson singled, driving in Pegram.

Four other New Market hitters had two hits apiece.

"We had opportunities early, and had the bases loaded three times, but they got out of jams," Woodstock head coach Donn Foltz said.

New Market starter Steve Owens worked 5 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on six hits, two strikeouts, two walks, and hit two batters. He picked up the win as he left with a 3-2 lead and the Rebels never fell behind.

Rebels pitcher Jake Guengerich, of Florida Southern, made his league-leading fifth relief appearance with two out in the bottom of the sixth, retired him, and faced only seven batters in pitching shout-out ball in the seventh and eighth innings, striking out four along the way.

"We had Jake ready for us, and he had a fresh arm," New Market head coach Lucas Jones said. "Some of his appearances have been short, and he's good at getting us out of jams. It's great to have that reliability in the bullpen."