Rangers Fall to Royals 15-10

  The Rangers scored double-digits in runs, but poor fielding and inefficient at-bats proved costly in the end. The Rangers outhit the Royals 16-14 but 5 errors were too much for the team to overcome.

      Joe Staten, Clint Wolf and Brent Collinsworth came up big at the plate combining for 10 of the team's 16 hits. Clint had 4 hits including 2 doubles and a triple. Joe also doubled and drove in a career-high 5 runs. Staten also swiped 2 bags in the process. Newcomer Brent Collinsworth had 3 key two-out hits in the 1st, 3rd, and 7th innings. Jonmarc Lippincott and Brian Robinson were the other multi-hit contributors.

      But in the end, it was the 14 strikeouts that were the downfall to the offensive attack.

     "We've just got to find the right formula", commented coach Lippincott. "It usually takes a good month to find out who the consistent hitters are going to be." When asked about his defense and pitching, Lippincott stated, "I'm not too worried right now. With the lack of practices this spring, the pitching staff will start off a little slow. I'll give pitchers 4 or 5 innings to start off with and build up their arm strength as the season progresses. The number of walks is an issue though. The Royals had at least 1 walk in 6 of their 9 innings. If we cut down our free passes, that will give our team a better shot of winning. As for our defense, we took a big hit with the loss of shortstop Ethan Goetz and outfielder Jake Kingsolver. So we have a few guys trying out new positions and we just need to find a comfortable mix of fielders."

      The Rangers will look to rebound from this first loss of the season as the lineup (both fielding and hitting) will get a little shakeup in Game 2.

RANGERS "MARKS"

OFFENSE
Brian Robinson - stole 2nd base in the first to get into scoring position for Jonmarc Lippincott's single in first to start the scoring for the Rangers.
Clint Wolf - 4 hit game, and 3 extra base hits.
Joe Staten - 2 stolen bases, two-out 2-run double.
Scott Sundermeyer - two-out RBI single.
Brent Collinsworth - 3 two-out RBI hits, heads up running to take 2nd base with no one covering the bag.
James Robinson - on base every time up (2 walks, double).
DEFENSE
Kyle Blackmore - recovered from wild pitch to throw runner out at plate, threw out runner at second base.
Clint Wolf - diving snag in center.
Shawn Schmitt - diving catch in right field.
Brian Robinson - fielded ball in the hole at short and threw out runner.
Brian Robinson/Jonmarc Lippincott - double play.
Jacob Robinson - 2 scoreless innings of relief.