August 22, 2007 - EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Rockford RiverHawks rallied three times on Wednesday and held off the Evansville Otters, 7-5.
The RiverHawks took two of three at Bosse Field to win there for the first time in more than two years. Rockford moved two games out of the final Frontier League playoff spot with wild-card leader Kalamazoo’s 3-0 loss to Chillicothe.
Rockford rallied from a 4-0 deficit and broke ties of 4-4 and 5-5. Matt Sauls was 2-for-5 with three RBI. Jono Brooks was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a sacrifice and a RBI. The rookie extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
The RiverHawks scored a pair of unearned runs in the ninth off Evansville closer Mike Bille (1-2). Bille struck out Roberto Valiente, but a wild third strike allowed Valiente to reach base to lead off the ninth. First baseman J.J. Owen turned pinch-hitter Will Henderson’s potential double-play grounder into an error. Brooks followed with a bunt and Joe Anthonsen hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the go-ahead run. Sauls followed with a two-out RBI single.
Jason Baca pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth for his seventh save.
Rockford starter Brady Salter (6-4) gave up five runs on 12 hits, but struck out five without a walk and lasted eight innings.
The RiverHawks head to Southern Illinois for a four-game, three-night series. It starts with a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader on Thursday.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 15th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Most games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM) and the internet. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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