RiverHawks hit 3 homers in 11-7 win

07/06/2012 9:15 PM - LOVES PARK, Ill. – Matt Greener, Javier Herrera, and Devin Shepherd each homered for Rockford Friday night, and the RiverHawks beat the Gateway Grizzlies 11-7 in the opener of a three-game series. With the RiverHawks trailing the Grizzlies by 4 ½ games for fourth place in the Frontier League West, the RiverHawks returned to RiverHawks Stadium having won their past three series. With the game-time temperature a sizzling 100 degrees, Rockford jumped on Gateway starter Chris Enourato early by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning to go ahead 3-1. Jet Butler’s RBI single scored Evan Button, and Greener followed by launching a two-run blast to left field, his fourth of the season.  The RiverHawks put another big number on the board by scoring four runs in the third inning to extend the lead to 7-1. Herrera’s homer, a two-run shot to left field, was his seventh of the season. Herrera went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. Devin Shepherd hit a two-out solo shot, his second of the season, and went 2-for-4 in the game.  Gateway responded with three runs in the fourth, including a two-run single by Richie Jimenez, to close the gap to 7-4.  Rockford knocked out Enourato (3-3) in the fourth inning with no outs and the bases loaded and scored three runs to go ahead 10-4. Enouratio gave up 10 earned runs in three plus innings of work. Newly-signed Max Whieldon pitched five innings in relief, giving up one run for Gateway.   The Grizzlies got two runs in the fifth inning to close to 10-6, but they would get no closer than four runs for the most of the game. Rockford starter Cody Hallahan (2-5) picked up the win, giving up five earned runs in five innings and striking out six. All nine Rockford starters had at least one hit in the game. The RiverHawks improved to 19-26 and have won seven of their last 10 games. “We are playing some good ball,” manager Rich Austin said. “We don’t look a game ahead or look a game back. We have an edge to us right now.” The series continues at 6:05 p.m. tomorrow. Gateway sends righty Tim Brown (4-2, 2.06 ERA) to the mound, while Rockford counters with righty Drew Rucinski (4-1, 2.58 ERA).  OSF St. Anthony sponsors the post game fireworks Saturday night that were cancelled this evening due to extreme heat.  The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5) Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.