LOVES PARK, IL — A one-out double in the top of the ninth proved the difference on Wednesday evening, as the Rockford Rivets fell 1-0 to the La Crosse Loggers in their season opener.
After holding the Loggers hitless for almost six innings, the Rivets allowed a lead off single in the ninth that would come around to score the winning run on a double by La Crosse third baseman JT Thompson.
Starter Jimmy Burnette allowed only three walks while striking out three in three innings of work. Jake Armstrong recorded a game-high five strikeouts in 2.2 innings of relief, while Noah DeLuga made his first appearance at the collegiate level and allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in 2.1 innings. Zach Losey allowed one hit and struck out one batter in an inning of relief work.
Rivets catcher Ryan Hampe delivered the first hit of the season for Rockford on a single in the second inning. Second baseman Daniel Carinci and shortstop Branden Comia were the only other Rivets to reach base, as Carinci was hit by a pitch while Comia reached on a dropped third strike.
The Rivets (0-1) return to action tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. for Game 2 against the Loggers. Carson Seymour will get the start for the Rivets.
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The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 26th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rockfordrivets.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rivets as your favorite team.
