Bowling Green walks off in Game 1 4-3, hangs on in Game 2 3-2
Bowling Green, KY – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (7-2) swept the West Michigan Whitecaps (4-4) in Friday’s doubleheader at Bowling Green Ballpark, winning two one-run contests to stretch their winning streak to six games. Andrew Toles’ RBI single scored Geoff Rowan in the bottom of the seventh inning in game one to give Bowling Green a 4-3 win. In game two, the Hot Rods used a three-run third inning, anchored by a Toles two-run triple, and hung on for a 3-2 victory.
In game one, Joey Rickard and Tyler Goeddel led the Hot Rods evening at the plate off with back-to-back doubles to immediately put Bowling Green on the board 1-0. Rowan and Marty Gantt later contributed with RBI singles to put the Hot Rods firmly into a 3-0 advantage. Hot Rods starter Dylan Floro was impressive for the second straight time to start the season, allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings.
The Hot Rods could not hang on to the three-run advantage, however, as the Whitecaps stormed from behind to tie the score in the top of the seventh inning. The Hot Rods put together their own rally in the bottom of the seventh, which was capped off by Toles’ RBI single to right field to give the Hot Rods their first walk-off win of the season.
Toles played a large part in game two as well when his fourth triple of the young 2013 season scored two runs in the bottom of the third. Later in the frame, Toles was driven in by Luke Maile’s sacrifice fly. The three runs held up as the Hot Rods bullpen led the rest of the way. Shay Crawford hurled a scoreless inning, and Ryan Garton picked up the final four outs to preserve the 3-2 win and his second save of the season.
The series continues on Saturday night at 7:05 PM with game three of the four-game set at Bowling Green Ballpark. The Hot Rods will send LHP Sean Bierman (1-0, 0.00) to the mound, while the Whitecaps will counter with LHP Jordan John (0-1, 4.50). Tune in to the Forever Communications Pregame show with Hank Fuerst and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz at 6:35 PM CDT. The broadcast can be found on BGHotRods.com.
Saturday night features a postgame fireworks display, courtesy of WBKO and Candlewood Suites. To order tickets, call the Hot Rods at (270) 901-2121, visit the Hot Rods Ticket Office at Bowling Green Ballpark, or log on to BGHotRods.com.
