Rangers Lose Game 1 8-7 and win Game 2 10-4

  Early fielding miscues proved costly once again in a game 1 defeat to the Kettering Royals on Sunday. Three infield errors contributed to 5 unearned runs in the first 2 innings. However, the Rangers battled back to score all 7 of their runs in the first 3 frames. The Rangers had a chance to at least tie the game in their final at-bat, but left a runner stranded at third after only one out.

      Matt Sparks started for the Rangers and pitched well in his first outing of the year, giving up 3 earned runs over 7 innings. But the Rangers could only muster 8 hits and unfortunately succumbed to the strikeout 10 times. Brent Collinsworth continued his hot hitting with a pair of hits including a double, his 3rd of the year. Kyle Blackmore drove in 2 runs, and Collinsworth and Jonmarc Lippincott scored twice.

      Late heroics saved the Rangers in Game 2. The Rangers got 2 runs right away when Dave Roemerman drove in a pair with 2 outs in the first. The Royals answered with a run of their own in the second on 2 fielding errors. The score was 2-1 into the fifth where the Royals took the lead on an RBI triple and single. But Jonmarc Lippincott gave the Rangers back the lead with a 2-run double over the left fielder's head. The Royals' Phil Beach tied the score at 4 with an RBI single that scored Jason Griffith, who had previously tripled. Both teams were held scoreless in the 7th which then forced extra innings.

      The score held at 4-4 into the 9th. Scott Sundermeyer led off the top of the inning with a single to left. Brian Robinson sacrificed him over to second. Jonmarc Lippincott came through again with an RBI single to left that gave the Rangers the lead for good. The Rangers answered with a 6-spot in the ninth. Jelani Arnold and Mark Windle each contributed with their first hits of the year by smacking 2-run singles.

      Matt Hood started for the Rangers and pitched exceptionally well giving up 5 hits in 5 innings. Jacob Robinson followed up with an inning of relief giving up a run on 3 hits. John Kriner, Jelani Arnold, and Shawn Schmitt pitched an inning each giving up no hits over the final 3 innings and striking out a total of 5 batters. Jelani picked up the win, his first of the season.

RANGERS "MARKS"

OFFENSE
Jonmarc Lippincott - go-ahead 2-run double in Game 2, game-winning single in Game 2.
Brent Collinsworth - RBI double.
Dave Roemerman - two-out 2-run single.
Kyle Blackmore - two-out RBI single.
Mark Windle - two-out 2-run single.
Scott Sundermeyer - led off 9th inning of Game 2 with single and scored winning run.
Matt Hood - two-out RBI walk.
Brian Robinson - key sacrifice bunt to get winning run in scoring position in Game 2.
Jelani Arnold - two-out 2-run single, single-handedly scored a run by walking, stealing 2nd, going to 3rd on errant throw, scoring on passed ball.
DEFENSE
Jonmarc Lippincott - 2 tough defensive plays at shortstop.
Brent Collinsworth - threw runner out attempting to steal 2nd.
Matt Hood - 5 effective innings pitched.
John Kriner - scoreless inning of relief, 2 Ks.
Jelani Arnold - scoreless inning of relief to garner Win.
Shawn Schmitt - scoreless ninth to preserve win.
Clint Wolf - diving catch in centerfield.