Storybook Finish for Jared as Hounds Roll, 10-4

September 18, 2021

RockHounds 10, Tulsa Drillers 4 Friday, September 17, 2021 Momentum Bank Ballpark The RockHounds defeated the Tulsa Drillers, 10-4, Friday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark and while it was an outstanding “team effort,” one storyline leads all the rest. Jared Koenig, in his final start of the 2021 season, pitched

RockHounds 10, Tulsa Drillers 4

Friday, September 17, 2021

Momentum Bank Ballpark

The RockHounds defeated the Tulsa Drillers, 10-4, Friday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark and while it was an outstanding “team effort,” one storyline leads all the rest.

Jared Koenig, in his final start of the 2021 season, pitched seven innings and allowed one run on four hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts to earn the win.

The left-hander, who pitched in four independent leagues and as far away as New Zealand (the Australian Baseball League) before signing with the Oakland A’s, closed his first season in the affiliated minors with a storybook finish.

By allowing just one run over seven innings, Koenig took over the earned run average lead in the Double-A Central (see “Kibbles & Bits,” below).

And, when struck out the last batter he faced in the game, Hamlet Marte, it was his 100**th* *strikeout of the season.**

The RockHounds backed Koenig with both bats and gloves, building a 7-0 lead after four innings with production from throughout the lineup. Leading the way were …

- Jhonny Santos reached base in each of four trips to the plate, going 2-for-2, with a three-run home run

- Max Schuemann went 4-for-5, scored twice, drove in two more runs, and stole his 49th base of the year (High-A and AA, combined)

- Chase Calabuig went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and finished with a game-high four RBI

Santos also had an outfield assist and made a tremendous running catch in deep right-center … and Calabuig’s glove may have saved the earned run average title for Jared Koenig (also see “Kibbles & Bits”).

The RockHounds evened the series at 2-2 and moved back to within a game of .500 (58-59) with Saturday and Sunday games remaining.

Kibbles & Bits

_Jared Koenig now leads the Double-A Central with a 3.26 earned run average. _

Northwest Arkansas’ Jon Heasley is second (3.33) and is the only pitcher with a statistical chance to catch Jared. Heasley is not listed on the Naturals’ active roster at this time … so it’s a “wait and see” as to whether or not he pitches this weekend.

Chase Calabuig ended the sixth inning with a tremendous, sliding catch in shallow left field. The web gem kept a second Tulsa run from scoring and saved, at least for now, the ERA title.

Had the run scored, Jared’s ERA would have been 3.337 … rounded up to 3.34 (one one-hundredth behind Heasley).

Next Game: Saturday, September 18

RockHounds vs. Tulsa Drillers

Fifth of a six-game series and of a six-game homestand

First Pitch at 7:00

*Postgame FIREWORKS! *

The Final Weekend of the 2021 Season at Rocky Town!

The RockHounds host the Tulsa Drillers Saturday evening (7:00) and Sunday afternoon (2:00) at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

Saturday night fireworks and Fan Appreciation Day / Family Sunday.