‘A’ Stars sweep Nampa, win 8-1 and 12-2
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:46 AM PDT
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| Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer
Treasure Valley ‘A’ Stars runner Joe Martarano (right) slides in safely at home while Nampa Braves catcher Kessler Thueson awaits the throw from the outfield during Monday’s American Legion baseball game at Fruitland High School. |
Fruitland—Don’t look now, but the Treasure Valley ‘A’ Stars are on a roll.
The Stars pounded out 24 hits, and the pitching staff held Nampa to seven total hits in their 8-1 and 12-2 sweep over the Braves in American Legion baseball action Monday in Fruitland.
“They’re starting to hit it.” Treasure Valley coach Russ Wright said.
In the opener, the Stars fell behind 1-0 after one inning and scored eight unanswered runs to come away with the win.
Daulton Blackwell went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and also crushed a pitch over the 360-foot sign in right centerfield to kick off the Stars’ scoring.
In all, the Stars clubbed 12 hits, and Blackwell was supported by Brad Huddleston, who went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, and Cody Peterson added two hits and an RBI.
All the offense was more than enough for Treasure Valley pitchers Miguel Rios and Brady Harris.
Rios allowed one run in three innings of work, and Harris tossed four innings, allowed two hits and struck out nine to pick up the win.
In the nightcap, the Stars came back from a 2-0 deficit and used three big frames to do their damage in the 12-2 win.
Riley Horn went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
With the score 4-2 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Stars broke things open with six runs.
After a Joe Martarano groundout, Huddleston reached on a single, and Peterson followed with a perfect hit-and-run single to right to put runners on the corners for Chase Fields.
Fields plopped a bunt down the third base line and beat the throw, and the Stars had the bases loaded for Horn.
The lefty cracked a bases-clearing triple to center, scoring Huddleston, Peterson and Fields to give the Stars a 7-2 cushion.
Nate Rutten chased home Horn with an RBI single to make the score 8-2.
After a flyout, Rios roped a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third with two outs.
Harris cashed in Rios and Rutten with a two-run single, and the Stars were comfortably out in front by a 10-2 margin.
In the bottom of the sixth, Huddleston reached after getting hit by a pitch and Peterson followed with another hit-and-run single. Huddleston raced all the way home on an error by the Nampa left fielder to make the score 11-2.
Horn was up next, and the ‘A’ Legion Most Outstanding Player invoked the mercy rule with an RBI single.
Rutten and Peterson had two hits apiece, and Harris went 1-for-3 with two RBIs for the Stars.
Huddleston threw the final four innings and struck out four to earn the win.
Huddleston allowed one hit, allowed one runner to reach third, and, at one point, the slender right hander retired seven in a row.
The Stars (26-10 overall) travel to Boise Wednesday for a doubleheader against the Gems.
Game 1
R H E
Nampa 100 000 0 — 1 4 2
TV ‘A’ Stars 041 003 x — 8 12 0
Rios, Harris (4) and Blackwell; Davidson and Thueson. WP—Harris. LP—Davidson. SO/BB—Rios 2/6, Harris 9/2; Davidson 0/1. HR— Blackwell (TV). 3B— None. 2B—None. RBI—Blackwell (TV), Peterson (TV), Huddleston (TV), Harris (TV). Hits — Treasure Valley — Blackwell 2-4 2 runs, Huddleston 2-2 HBP 2 runs, Peterson 2-3, Harris 1-3 run.
Game 2
R H E
Nampa 200 000 — 2 3 2
TV ‘A’ Stars 400 062 — 12 12 2
Blackwell, Huddleston (3) and Rutten. WP—Huddleston. SO/BB—Blackwell 4/3, Huddleston 2/1. HR—None. 3B—Horn (TV). 2B—Horn (TV), Blackwell (TV), Rios (TV). RBI—Horn 4 (TV), Rutten 2 (TV), Peterson (TV), Harris 2 (TV). Hits — Treasure Valley — Peterson 2-4 run, Horn 3-3 2 runs, Rutten 2-4 2 runs, Harris 1-3.
