RockHounds Get 'Van Ostranded' Again
On Monday, Van Ostrand had a solo home run, but it came in a losing cause (15-8, RockHounds). Tuesday, the British Columbia native had only one hit in four trips to the plate, but it was the game-winner.
Van Ostrand came up with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth inning, and bounced a "Pittsburgh chop" just over the glove of 'Hounds first baseman Michael Spina, breaking a 2-2 tie with a two-run single. Neither team would score the rest of the way.
For the season (he's played in 85 games), Van Ostrand is hitting .295, with nine home runs and 41 RBI. Four of the home runs and 15 of the RBI have come in 18 games against the RockHounds, in which he's hitting .403.
Adding insult to injury ... Van Ostrand's tie-breaking hit came against his former college teammate at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Gary Daley. The right-hander was pitching in relief of Ethan Hollingsworth in a "piggy-back start."
The RockHounds saw their 3-game win mini-streak snapped as the Hooks evened the 4-game series at a game apiece and tied the RockHounds for third place in the Texas League South (11-13).
- Shane Peterson went 3-for-4 (and was robbed of an RBI hit in the first inning by second baseman Brandon Wikoff) with a game-tying, solo home run. "Pete" has now hit in six straight games (14-27).
- Michael Spina had a triple and a double, extending his hit streak to nine games (16-42).
- Stephen Parker went 2-for-5 and has now hit in six straight games (13-29).
- Grant Green had a first inning solo home run and a bunt single, and has now hit in 5-of-6 games (9-26).
ROCKY TOWN - The RockHounds stay at "the beach" through Thursday, taking on Corpus Christi, then head right back to West Texas for a return bout with the division (and league) leading San Antonio Missions. The 4-game series opens Friday night and runs through Monday at Citibank Ballpark. Check out all the details at www.midlandrockhounds.org.