Hound Bats Come Alive In Win

The Arkansas Travelers put eight runs on the board Friday night at Citibank Ballpark, and did it with a 13-hit attack. Nice night, but not enough. Not by a long shot. The RockHounds scored 14 runs on twenty hits, defeating the Travelers, 14-8, and squaring the three-game series at one game apiece.

The 'Hounds batted around twice, sending 11 batters to the plate in the second inning, building a 7-0 lead. That margin had been cut to 8-5 before the RockHounds sent a dozen batters to the dish in the seventh, scoring six more runs for a 14-5 lead.

Of the 20 hits, only one left the ballpark, when Adrian Cardenas sent a line shot to right field in the seventh. What might have been the "Piano Man's" sixth double of the season instead cleared the short porch in front of the home bullpen for a solo homer, just the 'Hounds second of the season.

Despite hitting just one long ball, the entire RockHounds line-up contributed. Cardenas, Danny Putnam and Corey Brown had three hits each, while Chris Carter and Archie Gilbert both drove in three runs. Every RockHounds hitter scored or drove in at least two runs in the contest.

Centerfielder Corey Brown has erupted following a slow start. The compensation round pick (59th overall) in 2007 out of Oklahoma State University is now hitting .455 (10-22). Making that number all the more impressive, Brown started his first Double-A season 0-for-7, meaning he is now 10-for-his-last-15 plus three walks (on-base in 13-of-18 trips). Corey narrowly missed a Grand Slam in the second, ripping a bases-loaded, two-run double off the top of the wall in center field.

Travis Banwart went 5.0 innings for his first Double-A win, and the 'Hounds improved to 5-3, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the early going of the Texas League South Division race.

The RockHounds and Travelers conclude their three-game series Saturday night at Citibank Ballpark. Right-hander Kristian Bell (0-0, 2.25 in one start) takes the mound for the RockHounds against Arkansas lefty Mike Anton (0-1, 9.00 in one start).

Saturday's game will be followed by the season's first fireworks show.

The RockHounds' new radio home is Jack-FM (102.1-FM). RockHounds broadcasts are also available online. Look for the link to Jack-FM on the RockHounds' web site ... then click "Jack On The Box." Air time Saturday night at Citibank Ballpark is 6:15 p.m..