Rogers pitcher Llewellyn Jensen threw three scoreless innings of three-hit ball. Brandon Varney followed and closed out the last four in shutout fashion, allowing just one hit en route to a 3-0 win over Locke Mills
“I thought it was a nice bounce back game for the guys,” Rogers coach Dave Jordan said. “We played really good defense and we had much better command of the strike zone, and we were able to get ahead on hitters.”
Rogers got on the board in the first inning with an error that led to Rogers lead-off hitter Austin Cox getting on base. After Cox stole second, a single by Drew Lashua moved the runner to third, then was batted in on a sacrifice fly by Gavin Bates.
“Offensively, we tried to stay back and hit the ball the other way,” Jensen said. “Just kind of adjusting to the kid’s pitching because he was hitting spots.”
After a lead-off walk and steal by Maxx Bell, a single to left by Ben Harris drove home Bell and Rogers was up two runs.
While those two early runs were enough for Rogers, Locke Mills pitcher Marcus Wentworth never backed down from the moment.
“To have Marcus throw a complete game is really solid for us as a number-two starter,” Locke Mills coach Brad Clarke said. “Lots of improvement tonight for us.”
Wentworth pitched a complete-game four-hitter, giving up two earned runs and striking out four Rogers batters.
“I think that their pitcher did a good job keeping himself balanced, he battled,” Jordan said. “I think our guys did a nice job of, as the game went on, getting more productive at-bats against him so we were able to get guys on and get them in.”
In the fifth inning, Rogers got its bats going again when Lashua hit a two-out double to left, then was driven in by Bates with a double of his own, increasing the lead by to three. Rogers’ bats got the job done, but players and coaches alike were raving about the defense on the Auburn side.
“Our infield was stout,” Varney said. “I think we made maybe one error all game. We kept making plays all day long.”
With the win Thursday night, Rogers moves to 4-1 on the season and hosts Augusta on Saturday, while Locke Mills (2-2) hosts Smith Tobey.
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