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Grand Slams Lead Potters to Wild Win

Starick hits his 2nd Grand Slam of the Season

The Potters won in a wild 4th of July game. After giving up 5 runs early in the game it looked that Potters might be going for a rough one. In the bottom of the 3rd inning the Potters loaded the bases with only one out. After a strikeout the Heat made a pitching change to go to Grant Dragmire. Dragmire threw a wild pitch that got the Potters on the board. Dragmire proceeded to walk in 2 more runs which made it a 5-3 game for Larry Fonseca. Manager Ryan Stevens said "I told our guys be patient, but if you get a pitch you think you can handle, do damage." Fonseca did just that driving out the 6th grand slam of the season for the Potters to put the team up 7-5.

The score would remain there due to some stellar bullpen work from Nolan Murphy who went 3 and 1/3 innings allowing only 1 hit and struck 3 in his relief appearance. "He's a guy who has mastered his craft, doesn't throw the hardest but throws everything for strikes and tonight he was exactly what we needed out there. When the offense see's your pitcher putting up 0's it gives you a lot of confidence, and he turned the tide for us tonight." said Ryan Stevens after the game. Murphy said "I felt good, all my pitches were working and when the offense gave me some runs I got all the confidence I needed."

The Potters would hit another grand slam in the 6th inning thanks to Joe Starick who hit the ball to the opposite field for his 30th RBI on the year which is tied for the Great West League lead. The Potters would go up 11-5 at the time. Brian Morley would add solo shot, his Great West League leading 7th homerun of the season that would end up being the difference.

The Potters allowed 4 runs to cross in the 8th inning after a key error and some solid hits for the Heat. Tyler Cochran was able to limit the damage and entered the 9th inning up 12-9. The Heat got 2 more in the inning after some key hits and errors again. Joe Debaca stepped to the plate with a chance to tie or take the lead and drove a pitch to deep right field. "Our reaction in the dugout was, 'He really didn't just get that did he' but Morley was playing deep and he had it all the way" said Stevens after Morley made the catch to secure the game for the Potters.

Stevens said "To not quit after being down 5-0 against a good team like that, I love these guys for that. They showed a lot of heart and continue to work hard. It was a great win, hopefully we can come out and do it tomorrow."

Nolan Murphy earned the win for the Potters as Grant Dragmire took the loss for the Heat. Tyler Cochran earned the save. The Potters improve to 19-12 while the Heat fall to 24-7.

Kasey Wallace had his first at bat in almost 2 years for the Potters after recovery from a left leg injury. He grounded out in his pinch hit appearance but still a moment that he had been working hard to get to.

The Potters are back at it again tonight for the Series Finale with the Heat. Gates open at 5:30 with first pitch being at 6:35. You can buy tickets here: Tickets

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