Indians Sweep Wayne County
Rematch of 2001 NYCBL Finals

by Scott Montesano
Rome Indians Marketing Intern

(Rome, NY) A three-run sixth inning propelled the Indians to a come-from-behind 5-4 victory in game two of their NYCBL doubleheader against Wayne County Saturday night at DeLutis Field.>/p>

Trailing 4-2 with one out and two runners on in the sixth inning, Damian Blakeley tied the game with a bases clearing double to leftfield.

Blakeley then moved to third on a single by Jeremy O’Neill.

Pinch hitter Terron Acuff would then provide the winning RBI as he perfectly executed a squeeze bunt that scored Blakeley to give Rome the lead and victory.

David Rodriguez pitched six innings, striking out seven and walking two, to earn his second win of the season.

The win completed a doubleheader sweep for the Indians, who also took game one 7-6 behind the pitching of newcomer Chase Houtari and closer Soren Johnson.

Houtari relieved starter Nick DeMaro in the third inning with Rome trailing 3-2. He went on to pitch four innings, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks to earn the win. At one point, Houtari retired 9 of 11 Wayne County batters.

In the seventh, closer Soren Johnson came in with the tying run at third base and was able to strikeout Brian Kearney, and get Dan Stucky to ground out, to end the game.

Kyle Barrett finished the day with three hits and three RBIs, while Soren Johnson earned the save in both games.

The doubleheader sweep moves the Indians two games above .500 for the first time all season, and gives Rome a 9-1 record over their last 10 games.

Box Scores

Game 1

Wayne County	030	002	1	-	6	10	3
Rome	203	003		-	7	9	0

WP: Chase Houtari (1-0)
LP: Kevin Niemczura (N/A)
S: Soren Johnson (2)

2B: WC - Kevin Wheeler, Marck Chiccini
     Rome - Jeremy O'Neill

Time: 2:18

Game 2

Wayne County	200	020	0	-	4	5	0
Rome	020	003		-	5	7	2

WP: Rodriguez (2-0)
LP: Hampton (N/A)
S: Soren Johnson (3)

2B: Rome - Damian Blakeley

Time: 2:30
Rome (10-8) Wayne County (7-12)