Indians shutout Twice at Geneva
Rome has dropped four straight

by Scott Montesano
Rome Indians Marketing Intern

(Geneva, NY) During the 2001 season, the Rome Indians were only shutout twice in 40 games.

In one day, the 2002 Indians equaled that infamous mark.

The Indians were shutout on both ends of a doubleheader against the Geneva Lakers on Sunday. Rome fell 1-0 in the opener and then 2-0 in the nightcap at Geneva’s McDonough Park.

The back-to-back shutout losses came one day after Rome was swept at Hornell. Rome has now lost four straight games, the franhise’s longest drought since the 1999 season.

Dustin McKinney earned the complete game shutout for Geneva in game one, allowing a mere two hits and striking out seven. Rome was able to advance a runner to second base only twice.

The Lakers would score the only run in the opener in the second inning. Josh Holt led off the inning with a flare to centerfield, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and then to third on a ground out to second base.

Jarred Hill then brought Holt in to score when his swinging bunt could not be handeld cleanly by Jeremy O’Neil at third base.

Pat Dougherty took the loss in game one for Rome, allowing just one run on five hits.

In the second game, Justin Bounds mimicked McKinney, going the distance for the win. Bounds allowed no runs on four hits.

Craig Alexander gave Geneva a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an RBI single. The Lakers would make it 2-0 in the fourth on a Todd Lietz RBI single.

On two occasions Rome had runners in scoring position but could not capitilize. Soren Johnson suffered the tough-luck loss, despite striking out five. Justin Cone came in relief in the sixth inning and pitched a scoreless frame.

In each game, Rome never put together a sustained threat.

For Geneva, both McKinney and Bounds prevented the Indians from having many scoring chances. On the rare occasion the Indians had a chance, Rome would not get the key hit. Rome hitters went a combined 0-5 with men in scoring position in the two games.

The doubleheader losses concluded a five-game, season opening, road trip for Rome, which saw the Indians go 1-4.

The Indians are off on Monday, but return to action Tuesday night when they host Mohawk Valley at 7PM in the home opener.

Rome will then be off again until a 7PM home game on Friday against Schenectady.

Box Score

Game 1

Rome	000	000	0	-	0	2	0
Geneva	010	100	x	-	2	6	1

WP: Dustin McKinney
LP: Pat Dougherty (0-1)

No extra base hits

LOB: Rome 3
     Geneva 6

Time: 1:25

Game 2

Rome	000	000	0	-	0	4	0
Geneva	010	100	x	-	2	6	1

WP: Justin Bounds
LP: Soren Johnson (0-1)

No extra base hits

LOB: Rome 4
     Geneva 5

Time 1:27
Attendance: 50