By: Amanda Orlando
ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Strong pitching was the theme for both nights of the Leprechauns’ home series against the Rockford Rivets, with a 4-0 win on Monday and a 9-0 win on Tuesday.
Monday night’s pitching staff consisted of Spencer Boynton and Andrew Everson who combined for a total of 12 strikeouts on the night, a franchise record. Boynton, who recorded 11 of the 12 strikeouts, also earned the title of Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night.
On the offensive end of things, Oliver Service drove in 3 RBIs in the bottom of the second, and then made it home himself off of a single from Luke Kosko, making up the four runs of the night.
Royal Oak carried the momentum into game two with four consecutive innings of runs in the middle of the game, as well as no opportunities given to let the Rivets respond.
The fourth inning would mark the start of the action with Michael Zielinski driving in a run from a sacrifice fly by Andrew DiLodovico directly followed by Tate Deal’s single to right field to secure Lucas Mead at home for another Leprechauns run.
The offense started a chain reaction from there, with Mateo Noto scraping by to secure a run from third after a Rivets double play.
After a big night of scoring for first baseman Oliver Service in game one, he wasn’t done yet. Service provided the first run of the sixth inning after drilling a triple deep into center field to bring Mead home, then advancing home himself on a wild pitch.
DiLodovico drove in another RBI with a double into left field, and closed out the scoring for the sixth inning with a run off of Noto’s sacrifice fly.
Service came in ready to wrap up the Rivets’ chances of overcoming the seven point deficit with a two-run home run to clear the bases.
It was a quiet night for the Rockford offense as they faced an explosive Royal Oak bullpen. Starter Hayden Bailey made his debut for the Leprechauns in a standout way, recording eight strikeouts across five innings. Nathan Masar and Nick Stempnik would pitch in with four more strikeouts in their closing innings to match game one’s franchise record.
A combination of solid pitching and consistent batting would lead Royal Oak to sweep the series with 13 total runs and no runs allowed from their opponent.
With the Leprechauns approaching a five-day road series, their next home appearance is set for Monday, June 22, against the Traverse City Pit Spitters. First pitch for both games of the series is 6:35 p.m. ET.
Tickets can be purchased on the team’s website or at the gate. Fans can also follow the team across all social platforms to stay up to date.
