610 Days ... Just in the "Nick" of Time

RockHounds 6, San Antonio Missions 1

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Momentum Bank Ballpark

When the RockHounds took the diamond at Momentum Bank Ballpark Tuesday evening, it had been 610 days since the team had played its last home game (September 15, 2019). The ‘Hounds long-awaited “homecoming” was nearly perfect, a 6-1 win over the longtime rival San Antonio Missions in the 2021 Double-A Central home opener.

It took 20 months for the RockHounds to return home. It took Nick Allen one pitch to MAKE himself at home. The ‘Hounds’ shortstop, who entered the game 2-for-22, singled on the first pitch he saw … stole second base on the next pitch … and never looked back. He finished the game 3-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI (one of them on a sacrifice fly), basically accounting for two-thirds of the team’s output.

Jhonny Santos doubled twice and scored both times, while Jonah Bride continued his hot start to the season, contributing a two-run single to push his league-leading RBI total to eight (see “Kibbles & Bits”).

Brady Feigl (1-0, 4.50) went five innings for the win, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Feigl and four relievers combined to strike out a dozen San Antonio batters.

Allen scored the game’s first run on a Tyler Ramirez first-inning double and brought Santos home with the sac fly for a 2-0 lead in the third. After Kyle Overstreet’s solo home run made the score 2-1, the ‘Hounds answered with two runs in the sixth (on Bride’s single) and two more in the seventh (on ribbies from Allen and Chase Calabuig).

Kibbles & Bits

The season is only eight days old, of course, but Jonah Bride has been impressive. The RockHounds’ first baseman / designated hitter leads the Double-A Central in five major offensive categories - - batting average (.471), home runs (4), runs batted in (8), slugging percentage (1.176) and OPS (on-base plus slugging) at 1.767.

Next RockHounds Game

Opening Week at Momentum bank Ballpark continues Wednesday night with half-price hot dogs.

The ‘Hounds host the San Antonio Missions with first pitch at 6:30.

The homestand continues with Thirsty Thursday (May 13) … Bucket Hat night (Friday) … Fireworks (Saturday) … and Women’s Visors (Sunday). Check the Rockhounds web site for more!

Probable Starters

SA: Caleb Boushley(RH, 0-1, 11.25)

RH: Jared Koenig (LH, 0-0, 3.00)